Touch screen liquid crystal display

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein are liquid-crystal display (LCD) touch screens that integrate the touch sensing elements with the display circuitry. The integration may take a variety of forms. Touch sensing elements can be completely implemented within the LCD stackup but outside the not between the color filter plate and the array plate. Alternatively, some touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates with other touch sensing elements not between the plates. In another alternative, all touch sensing elements can be between the color filter and array plates. The latter alternative can include both conventional and in-plane-switching (IPS) LCDs. In some forms, one or more display structures can also have a touch sensing function. Techniques for manufacturing and operating such displays, as well as various devices embodying such displays are also disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to Provisional U.S. Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/804,361, filed Jun. 9, 2006, and Provisional U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 60/883,979, filed Jan. 8, 2007 which are bothhereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

This application is related to the following publications, incorporatedby reference herein:

-   -   U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2006/0197753, titled        “Multi-Functional Hand-Held Device,” published Sep. 7, 2006.    -   U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2006/0097991, titled “Multipoint        Touch Screen,” published May 11, 2006, and issued as U.S. Pat.        No. 7,663,607, issued on Feb. 16, 2010.    -   U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2007/0257890, titled “Multipoint        Touch Screen Controller,” published on Nov. 8, 2007;    -   U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2008/0158181, entitled        “Double-Sided Touch Sensitive Panel and Flex Circuit Bonding,”        published Jul. 3, 2008and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,026,903,        issued on Sep. 27, 2011.    -   U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2008/0062139, entitled “Touch        Screen Liquid Crystal Display, published Mar. 13, 2008.    -   U.S. Patent Publication No.: 2008/0062148, entitled “Touch        Screen Liquid Crystal Display, published Mar. 13, 2008.    -   U.S. Patent Publication No. 2008/0062140, entitled “Touch Screen        Liquid Crystal Display, published Mar. 13, 2001.

BACKGROUND

There exist today many types of hand-held electronic devices, each ofwhich utilizes some sort of user interface. The user interface caninclude an output device in the form of a display, such as a LiquidCrystal Display (LCD), and one or more input devices, which can bemechanically actuated (e.g., switches, buttons, keys, dials, joysticks,joy pads) or electrically activated (e.g., touch pads or touch screens).The display can be configured to present visual information such astext, multi-media data, and graphics, and the input devices can beconfigured to perform operations such as issuing commands, makingselections, or moving a cursor or selector in the electronic device.

Recently work has been progressing on integrating various devices into asingle hand-held device. This has further led to attempts to integratemany user interface models and devices into a single unit. A touchscreen can be used in such systems for both practical and aestheticreasons. Additionally, multi-touch capable touch screens can provide avariety of advantages for such a device.

Heretofore, it has been assumed that touch screens, whether single touchor multi-touch, could be produced by fabricating a traditional LCDscreen, and disposing a substantially transparent touch sensing devicein front of this screen. However, this presents a number ofdisadvantages, including substantial manufacturing costs.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment of the invention, an integrated liquidcrystal display touch screen is provided. The touch screen can include aplurality of layers including a first polarizer, a first substratehaving display control circuitry formed thereon (e.g., a TFT plate orarray plate), a second substrate (e.g., a color filter plate) adjacentto the first, and a second polarizer. The touch screen can furtherinclude at least one touch sensing element disposed between the firstpolarizer and the second polarizer and not between the substrates. Thetouch sensing element can include one or more touch sensors formed onthe second substrate.

The touch sensors can include, a first plurality of touch electrodesformed on the second substrate, a dielectric deposited over the firstplurality of electrodes, and a second plurality of touch electrodesformed on top of the dielectric. The touch and drive electrodes can beformed from patterned indium-tin oxide (ITO). The touch sensors can alsocomprise active circuitry, including, for example, thin film transistors(TFTs). The substrates may be either glass or plastic. The touchelectrodes may be part of a mutual capacitance or a self-capacitancearrangement.

In another embodiment, an electronic device incorporating an integratedLCD touch screen is provided. The electronic device can take the form ofa desktop computer, a tablet computer, and a notebook computer. Theelectronic device can also take the form of a handheld computer, apersonal digital assistant, a media player, and a mobile telephone. Insome embodiments, a device may include one or more of the foregoing,e.g., a mobile telephone and media player.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The invention may best be understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates a multipoint sensing arrangement.

FIG. 2 illustrates a number of contact patches on a multipoint sensingsystem.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified schematic diagram of a mutualcapacitance circuit.

FIG. 4 illustrates a process for operating a multipoint sensingarrangement.

FIG. 5 illustrates a representative layout for an LTPS transflectivesubpixel.

FIG. 6 illustrates a simplified model of an LTPS as viewed from the topand side.

FIG. 7 illustrates a circuit diagram for a subpixel and shows on whichglass substrate the components are fabricated.

FIG. 8 illustrates a basic process flow for manufacturing LCDs.

FIG. 9 illustrates a finished small size LCD module.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a touch screen LCD with separatetouch driver and LCD driver chips.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram of a touch screen LCD with anintegrated LCD and touch driver chip.

FIG. 12 illustrates a basic stackup of a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 13 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 14 illustrates an electrode pattern.

FIG. 15 illustrates a stackup diagram embodiment of a touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 16 illustrates a touch pixel circuit for the touch-screen LCDillustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 illustrates a touch-sensing layer protected by a plastic cover.

FIG. 18 illustrates an output column and a linked set of output gatesfor a region of a touch-screen.

FIG. 19 illustrates a layout of a touch pixel for a touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 20 illustrates a stackup diagram for one embodiment of a touchscreen LCD.

FIG. 21 illustrates a touch sensor array.

FIG. 22 illustrates a physical implementation for Concepts A and B, withtop and side views of cabling and subsystem placement.

FIG. 23 illustrates a high-level block diagram showing one possiblearchitecture of bottom glass components.

FIG. 24 illustrates elongated conductive dots.

FIG. 25 illustrates a high-level block diagram for a Touch/LCD Driverintegrated circuit.

FIG. 26 illustrates a flexible printed circuit for use with various LCDembodiments described herein

FIG. 27 illustrates a process for simultaneous display updating andtouch scanning.

FIG. 28 illustrates a Open Circuit V_(CST) touch drive option.

FIG. 29 illustrates a Drive-V_(CST) touch drive option.

FIG. 30 illustrates an electrical model for the situation where touchdrive is used for both touch sensing and LCD V_(COM) modulation.

FIG. 31 illustrates connecting V_(STM) to Cst lines on both sidesthrough conductive dots.

FIG. 32 illustrates a manufacturing process flow for a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 33 illustrates using one-line inversion of V_(COM) as a touchstimulus signal.

FIG. 34 illustrates a stackup diagram for an alternative embodiment of atouch screen LCD.

FIG. 35 illustrates a manufacturing process flow for a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 36 illustrates an embodiment substituting a conductive black matrixfor a touch drive layer.

FIG. 37 illustrates a circuit diagram for an embodiment of a touchscreen LCD.

FIG. 38 illustrates a stackup diagram for a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 39 illustrates a row-by-row update of display pixels for a touchscreen LCD.

FIG. 40 illustrates a touch sensing process for a set of touch-sensitivedisplay rows in a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 41 illustrates a process of detecting touches for three pixelslocated in different regions of a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 42 illustrates a circuit diagram of another embodiment of a touchscreen LCD.

FIG. 43 illustrates a stack up diagram of the embodiment illustrated inFIG. 42.

FIG. 44 illustrates an embodiment substituting a conductive black matrixfor a touch sense layer.

FIG. 45 illustrates a stackup diagram of another embodiment of a touchscreen LCD.

FIG. 46 illustrates a top view of the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 55.

FIG. 47 illustrates another embodiment of a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 48 illustrates an equivalent circuit of the embodiment of FIG. 47.

FIG. 49 illustrates the waveforms that can be used for touch sensing inthe embodiment of FIGS. 47-48.

FIG. 50 illustrates further aspects of touch screen integration for theembodiment of FIG. 47.

FIG. 51 illustrates another embodiment of a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 52 illustrates the waveforms that can be used for touch sensing inthe embodiment of FIGS. 51 and 53.

FIG. 53 illustrates an equivalent circuit of the embodiment of FIG. 51.

FIG. 54 illustrates further aspects of touch screen integration for theembodiment of FIG. 51.

FIG. 55 illustrates a stackup diagram for a touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 56 illustrates a process of updating a touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 57 illustrates a stackup diagram for an embodiment of atouch-screen LCD.

FIG. 58 illustrates a stackup diagram for an embodiment of atouch-screen LCD.

FIG. 59 illustrates an exemplary LCD display divided into three regionsthat can be updated or touch-scanned independently.

FIG. 60 illustrates update and touch-scanning of a touch-screen LCD withthree regions.

FIG. 61 illustrates an electrode layout for a touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 62 illustrates circuit components for a touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 63 illustrates a snapshot of an update arrangement for atouch-screen LCD.

FIG. 64 illustrates how metal lines and gaps in ITO that can be fully orpartially hidden behind a black matrix.

FIG. 65 illustrates a stackup diagram for a touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 66 illustrates a touch-screen LCD segmented into three regions.

FIG. 67 illustrates a process of performing display updates andtouch-scanning in a touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 68 illustrates wiring and ITO layout to segment a touch screen LCDinto three regions.

FIG. 69 illustrates a top view and cross-section of a region of atouch-screen LCD that includes guard traces.

FIG. 70 illustrates a top view and cross-section of a region of atouch-screen LCD that does not include guard traces.

FIG. 71 illustrates a region of an exemplary display that contains sixtouch pixels and their signal wiring.

FIG. 72 illustrates a stackup diagram for another embodiment of atouch-screen LCD.

FIG. 73 illustrates a stackup diagram for another embodiment of atouch-screen LCD.

FIG. 74 illustrates a circuit diagram highlighting V_(COM) signalcoupling for a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 75 illustrates an exemplary display.

FIG. 76 illustrates a possible scan pattern for a touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 77 illustrates a circuit diagram for the embodiment of FIG. 79.

FIG. 78 illustrates segment ITO layers.

FIG. 79 illustrates a stackup diagram for another embodiment of atouch-screen LCD.

FIG. 80 illustrates a combined wiring and stackup diagram for theembodiment of FIG. 79.

FIG. 81 illustrates a physical realization of the embodiment of FIG. 79.

FIG. 82 illustrates in-plane switching LCD cells.

FIG. 83 illustrates an organization of electrodes for in-plane switchingLCD cells.

FIG. 84 illustrates a circuit diagram for an embodiment of an IPS-basedtouch-screen LCD.

FIG. 85 illustrates a stackup diagram corresponding to FIG. 84.

FIG. 86 illustrates a stackup diagram for another embodiment of anIPS-based touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 87 illustrates a physical model for Concept F, an embodiment of anIPS-based touch-screen LCD.

FIG. 88 illustrates a stackup diagram corresponding to the embodiment ofFIG. 87.

FIG. 89 illustrates a side view of an all glass touch screen LCD.

FIG. 90 illustrates a side view of a touch screen LCD including aplastic layer.

FIG. 91 illustrates a touch screen having multiple plastic layers.

FIG. 92 illustrates a touch screen having a PET layer patterned on twosides with a connection through the PET layer.

FIG. 93 illustrates a combination PET/glass touch screen.

FIG. 94 illustrates a touch screen LCD device assembly.

FIG. 95 illustrates a touch screen LCD having a touch layer patterned onthe inside of a transparent plastic housing.

FIG. 96 illustrates a patterned PET substrate that may be used with atouch screen LCD.

FIG. 97 illustrates flexible printed circuits bonded to the PETsubstrate of FIG. 96.

FIG. 98 illustrates a cover affixed to the assembly of FIG. 97.

FIG. 99 illustrates a simplified diagram of a level shifter/decoder chipon glass.

FIG. 100 illustrates a modified Touch/LCD Driver and peripheraltransistor circuit.

FIG. 101 illustrates a simplified block diagram of a fully-integratedTouch/LCD Driver.

FIG. 102 illustrates an application of a touch screen LCD.

FIG. 103 illustrates a block diagram of a computer system incorporatinga touch screen.

FIG. 104 illustrates a variety of electronic device and computer systemform factors that may be used with a touch-screen LCD according to thepresent invention.

FIG. 105 illustrates a plurality of IPS LCD sub-pixels connected to forma plurality of touch sense columns.

FIG. 106 illustrates a plurality of IPS LCD sub-pixels connected to forma plurality of touch sense rows.

FIG. 107 illustrates an IPS LCD with integrated touch sensing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is presented to enable any person skilled inthe art to make and use the invention, and is provided in the context ofa particular application and its requirements. Various modifications tothe disclosed embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled inthe art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied toother embodiments and applications without departing from the spirit andscope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is notlimited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scopeconsistent with the claims.

1. LCD and Touch Sensing Background

Disclosed herein are techniques to integrate touch sensing technologyinto liquid crystal displays.

As known to those skilled in the art, an LCD includes a plurality oflayers, most basically, a top glass, a liquid crystal, and a bottomglass. The top and bottom glass can be patterned to provide theboundaries of the cells that contain the liquid crystal for a particulardisplay pixel. The top and bottom glass can also be patterned withvarious layers of conducting materials and thin film transistors thatallow the voltage across the liquid crystal cells to be varied tomanipulate the orientation of the liquid crystal, thereby controllingthe color and brightness of the pixel.

As described in the applications incorporated by reference, a touchsurface, and specifically, a multi-touch capable transparent touchsurface can be formed from a series of layers. The series of layers caninclude at least one substrate, e.g., glass, which can have disposedthereon a plurality of touch sensitive electrodes. For example, a mutualcapacitance arrangement can include a plurality of drive electrodes anda plurality of sense electrodes separated by a non-conducting layer,i.e., the glass. Capacitive coupling between the drive and senseelectrodes can be affected by proximity of a conductive object (e.g., auser's finger). This change in capacitive coupling can be used todetermine the location, shape, size, motion, identity, etc. of aparticular touch. These parameters can then be interpreted to controloperation of a computer or other electronic device. Self-capacitancearrangements, as described below, are also known to those skilled in theart.

By integrating the layered structure of an LCD and a touch sensor, avariety of benefits can be achieved. This integration can includecombining or interleaving the layered structures described above.Integration can further include eliminating redundant structures and/orfinding dual purposes (e.g., one purpose for the touch function andanother for the display function) for particular layers or structures.This can permit some layers to be eliminated, which can reduce cost andthickness of the touch screen LCD, as well as simplify manufacturing. Avariety of different arrangements are possible, some of which arediscussed in greater detail herein.

Specifically, various embodiments of an integrated touch screen LCD arediscussed below. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isexemplary and not exhaustive and that many variations on theseembodiments are possible. Additionally, although many of the disclosedembodiments relate to multi-touch capable arrangements, many of theteachings can be applied to single-touch displays as well.

1.1. Multi-Touch Sensing

Recognizing multiple simultaneous or near-simultaneous touch events maybe accomplished with a multi-touch sensing arrangement as illustrated inFIG. 1. Multi-touch sensing arrangement 100 can detect and monitormultiple touch attributes (including, for example, identification,position, velocity, size, shape, and magnitude) across touch sensitivesurface 101, at the same time, nearly the same time, at different times,or over a period of time. Touch-sensitive surface 101 can provide aplurality of sensor points, coordinates, or nodes 102 that functionsubstantially independently of one another and that represent differentpoints on a touch sensitive surface. Sensing points 102 may bepositioned in a grid or a pixel array, with each sensing point capableof generating a signal at the same time. Sensing points 102 may beconsidered as mapping touch sensitive surface 101 into a coordinatesystem, for example, a Cartesian or polar coordinate system.

A touch-sensitive surface may, for example, be in the form of a tabletor a touch screen. To produce a touch screen, the capacitance sensingpoints and other associated electrical structures can be formed with asubstantially transparent conductive medium, such as indium tin oxide(ITO). The number and configuration of sensing points 102 may be varied.The number of sensing points 102 generally depends on the desiredresolution and sensitivity. In touch-screen applications, the number ofsensing points 102 may also depend on the desired transparency of thetouch screen.

Using a multi-touch sensing arrangement, like that described in greaterdetail below, signals generated at nodes 102 of multi-touch sensor 101may be used to produce an image of the touches at a particular point intime. For example, each object (e.g., finger, stylus, etc.) in contactwith or in proximity to touch-sensitive surface 101 can produce contactpatch area 201, as illustrated in FIG. 2. Each contact patch area 201may cover several nodes 102. Covered nodes 202 may detect the object,while remaining nodes 102 do not. As a result, a pixilated image of thetouch surface plane (which may be referred to as a touch image, amulti-touch image, or a proximity image) can be formed. The signals foreach contact patch area 201 may be grouped together. Each contact patcharea 201 may include high and low points based on the amount of touch ateach point. The shape of contact patch area 201, as well as the high andlow points within the image, may be used to differentiate contact patchareas 201 that are in close proximity to one another. Furthermore, thecurrent image can be compared to previous images to determine how theobjects may be moving over time, and what corresponding action should beperformed in a host device as a result thereof.

Many different sensing technologies can be used in conjunction withthese sensing arrangements, including resistive, capacitive, optical,etc. In capacitance-based sensing arrangements, as an object approachestouch-sensitive surface 101, a small capacitance forms between theobject and sensing points 102 in proximity to the object. By detectingchanges in capacitance at each of the sensing points 102 caused by thissmall capacitance, and by noting the position of the sensing points, asensing circuit 103 can detect and monitor multiple touches. Thecapacitive sensing nodes may be based on self-capacitance ormutual-capacitance.

In self-capacitance systems, the “self” capacitance of a sensing pointis measured relative to some reference, e.g., ground. Sensing points 102may be spatially separated electrodes. These electrodes can be coupledto driving circuitry 104 and sensing circuitry 103 by conductive traces105 a (drive lines) and 105 b (sense lines). In some self-capacitanceembodiments, a single conductive trace to each electrode may be used asboth a drive and sense line.

In mutual capacitance systems, the “mutual” capacitance between a firstelectrode and a second electrode can be measured. In mutual capacitancesensing arrangements, the sensing points may be formed by the crossingsof patterned conductors forming spatially separated lines. For example,driving lines 105 a may be formed on a first layer and sensing lines 105b may be formed on a second layer 105 b such that the drive and senselines cross or “intersect” one another at sensing points 102. Thedifferent layers may be different substrates, different sides of thesame substrate, or the same side of a substrate with some dielectricseparation. Because of separation between the drive and sense lines,there can be a capacitive coupling node at each “intersection.”

The arrangement of drive and sense lines can vary. For example, in aCartesian coordinate system (as illustrated), the drive lines may beformed as horizontal rows, while the sense lines may be formed asvertical columns (or vice versa), thus forming a plurality of nodes thatmay be considered as having distinct x and y coordinates. Alternatively,in a polar coordinate system, the sense lines may be a plurality ofconcentric circles with the drive lines being radially extending lines(or vice versa), thus forming a plurality of nodes that may beconsidered as having distinct radius and angle coordinates. In eithercase, drive lines 105 a may be connected to drive circuit 104, andsensing lines 105 b may be connected to sensing circuit 103.

During operation, a drive signal (e.g., a periodic voltage) can beapplied to each drive line 105 a. When driven, the charge impressed ondrive line 105 a can capacitively couple to the intersecting sense lines105 b through nodes 102. This can cause a detectable, measurable currentand/or voltage in sense lines 105 b. The relationship between the drivesignal and the signal appearing on sense lines 105 b can be a functionof the capacitance coupling the drive and sense lines, which, as notedabove, may be affected by an object in proximity to node 102.Capacitance sensing circuit (or circuits) 103 may sense sensing lines105 b and may determine the capacitance at each node as described ingreater detail below.

As discussed above, drive lines 105 a can be driven one at a time, whilethe other drive lines are grounded. This process can be repeated foreach drive line 105 a until all the drive lines have been driven, and atouch image (based on capacitance) can be built from the sensed results.Once all the lines 105 a have been driven, the sequence can repeat tobuild a series of touch images. However, in some embodiments of thepresent invention, multiple drive lines may be driven substantiallysimultaneously or nearly simultaneously, as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/619,466, titled “Simultaneous SensingArrangement,” filed Jan. 3, 2007.

FIG. 3 illustrates a simplified schematic diagram of mutual capacitancecircuit 300 corresponding to the arrangement described above. Mutualcapacitance circuit 300 may include drive line 105 a and sense line 105b, which can be spatially separated thereby forming capacitive couplingnode 102. Drive line 105 a may be electrically (i.e., conductively)coupled to drive circuit 104 represented by voltage source 301. Senseline 105 b may be electrically coupled to capacitive sensing circuit103. Both drive line 105 a and sense line 105 b may, in some cases,include some parasitic capacitance 302.

As noted above, in the absence of a conductive object proximate theintersection of drive line 105 a and sense line 105 b, the capacitivecoupling at node 102 can stay fairly constant. However, if anelectrically conductive object (e.g., a user's finger, stylus, etc.)comes in proximity to node 102, the capacitive coupling (i.e., thecapacitance of the local system) changes. The change in capacitivecoupling changes the current (and/or voltage) carried by sense line 105b. Capacitance sensing circuit 103 may note the capacitance change andthe position of node 102 and report this information in some form toprocessor 106 (FIG. 1).

With reference to FIG. 1, sensing circuit 103 may acquire data fromtouch surface 101 and supply the acquired data to processor 106. In someembodiments, sensing circuit 103 may be configured to send raw data(e.g., an array of capacitance values corresponding to each sense point102) to processor 106. In other embodiments, sensing circuit 103 may beconfigured to process the raw data itself and deliver processed touchdata to processor 106. In either case, the processor may then use thedata it receives to control operation of computer system 107 and/or oneor more applications running thereon. Various implementations alongthese lines are described in the applications referenced above, andinclude a variety of computer systems having touch pads and touchscreens.

In some embodiments, sensing circuit 103 may include one or moremicrocontrollers, each of which may monitor one or more sensing points102. The microcontrollers may be application specific integratedcircuits (ASICs) that work with firmware to monitor the signals fromtouch sensitive surface 101, process the monitored signals, and reportthis information to processor 106. The microcontrollers may also bedigital signal processors (DSPs). In some embodiments, sensing circuit103 may include one or more sensor ICs that measure the capacitance ineach sensing line 105 b and report measured values to processor 106 orto a host controller (not shown) in computer system 107. Any number ofsensor ICs may be used. For example, a sensor IC may be used for alllines, or multiple sensor ICs may be used for a single line or group oflines.

FIG. 4 illustrates at a high level process 400 for operating amulti-touch sensing arrangement, like that described above. The processmay begin at block 401 where plurality of sensing points 102 can bedriven. Following block 401, the process flow can proceed to block 402,where the outputs from sensing points 102 can be read. For example, acapacitance value for each sensing point 102 can be obtained. Followingblock 402, the process can proceed to block 403 where an image or otherform of data (signal or signals) of the touch at one moment in time canbe produced and thereafter analyzed to determine where objects touchingor in proximity to the touch sensor may be located. Following block 403,the process can proceed to block 404, where the current image or signalmay be compared to one or more past images or signals to determine achange in one or more of the shape, size, location, direction, speed,acceleration, pressure, etc. for each object. This information can besubsequently used (in step 405) to perform an action in computer system107, ranging from moving a pointer or cursor to complex gesture-basedinteractions.

1.2. Transflective LCDs

To better understand integration of touch-sensing technology withtransflective LCDs, a brief introduction to transflective LCDs may behelpful. The following is an overview of a typical subpixel cell foundin low temperature poly silicon (LTPS) transflective LCDs.

1.2.1. Circuit Basics

FIG. 5 shows a representative layout for an LTPS transflective subpixel500. Display information can be transferred to the subpixel's capacitorsC_(ST) and C_(LC) (not shown) when a voltage representing the desiredgrey level is applied to the data bus 501 and the select line 502 isasserted. The select line 502 assertion level can be near the gate drivepositive supply voltage. During the time when select line 502 isasserted, the voltage on V_(CST) (and V_(COM), which is not shown) canbe constant. All the circuit elements shown in FIG. 5, which includesmetal, poly, active, oxide, and ITO, can be fabricated on the LCD'sbottom glass.

FIG. 6 shows a simplified model of a low temperature poly-silicon (LTPS)LCD 600, including a top view 601 and a side view 602. Top view 601shows a see-through view of the V_(CST) routing 603 on the bottom glass608 in both the display area 604 and the non-display area 605. Side view602 shows a cross section of the display.

Each display row can include horizontal traces for V_(CST) 606 andselect (not shown). The select traces connect to gate drive circuitrymade up of poly-silicon thin film transistors (p-Si TFTs), also notshown. The V_(CST) traces 606 can run from display edge to display edgeand can connect together, e.g., as shown on the left. The V_(CST) tracescan also connect, through a conductive dot 607, to an ITO plane 609 onthe top glass 610. Typically, four conductive dots, one in each corner,can be used to connect the V_(COM) plane to V_(COM)Drive 611. FIG. 6shows only one dot 607 for simplicity. The voltage of V_(CST) and topglass ITO 609 can be set by V_(COM)Drive, which can be provided by theLCD driver IC (not shown). V_(CST) can also be connected to anotherdrive source other than V_(COM)Drive 611.

FIG. 7 illustrates a circuit diagram 700 for a subpixel and shows onwhich glass substrate various components can be fabricated. The bottomglass 701 can be the substrate for the integration of all the TFT pixelcircuitry 703. This can include the select line drivers and controllogic. The bottom glass can also serve as the substrate for chip onglass (COG) components, such as the LCD driver (not shown). The upperelectrode 704 of capacitor C_(LC) can be on the top glass 702. Electrode704 can be an ITO plane that covers the entire display area and formsthe counter electrode to the bottom electrode 705 making C_(LC). Upperelectrode 704 can also connect, e.g., through four corner-locatedconductive dots 706 (only one shown), to V_(COM)Drive 707 on bottomglass 701.

1.2.2. V_(COM)

Minimizing or eliminating the DC component of the voltage across theliquid crystal (LC) can reduce or eliminate some undesirable imageartifacts. Therefore, the electric field across the LC can beperiodically flipped while maintaining overall balance between the twofield directions. Obtaining perfect electric field balance can bedifficult, which can lead to small DC offsets that can produce unwantedimage artifacts. To mask flicker due to DC offsets one of severalinversion schemes known to those skilled in the art, such as dotinversion, can be employed.

1.2.3. Modulating V_(COM)

In some embodiments, it may be desirable to reduce the voltage range ofdata drivers. Therefore, the V_(COM) ITO plane and the V_(CST) tracescan be modulated from ground to the supply rail to produce an AC voltageacross the LC. However, this can restrict the available inversionmethods to only the frame and line types.

V_(COM)Drive requirements can be fairly simple: its voltage can remainconstant until the charge transfer has completed for a row of pixels,thus setting their grey levels. Once the display pixels are set,V_(COM)Drive can change without significantly affecting the LC stateprovided that parasitic pathways into and out of the subpixel remainsmall.

1.2.4. Constant V_(COM)

V_(COM) modulation can complicate the integration of touch sensing withLCDs. Various techniques for overcoming these complications arediscussed below. An alternative method of minimizing the DC component ofthe voltage across the liquid crystal can be employed. One suchalternative method is disclosed in J. Hector and P. Buchschacher, “LowPower Driving Options for an AMLCD Mobile Display Chipset”, SID 02Digest, pp. 695-697, which is incorporated by reference herein. Thisalternative method can allow V_(COM) to remain at a constant voltage,does not require large-voltage range data drivers, and can consume lowpower. Various advantages of using a constant V_(COM) are describedbelow.

1.3. LCD Manufacturing

The manufacturing of LCD panels can be done using a batch process onlarge pieces of glass called mother-glass. Two pieces of mother-glasscan be used: a top mother-glass, which can provide the substrate for thecolor filter, black matrix, and the upper electrode for C_(LC); and abottom mother-glass, which can provide the substrate for the activematrix TFT array and drive circuitry.

A basic process flow 800 for manufacturing LCDs is shown in FIG. 8. Twolarge sheets of mother-glass, one for the top portion of the LCD and onefor the bottom portion, can go through separate processing steps 801 and802 before being aligned (block 803), pressed together, and heated(block 804) to cure seals between the top and bottom glass therebyproducing a stable panel structure. The large panel can then be scribedand broken into smaller modules of the desired dimensions (block 805).The individual modules can have their edges ground (block 806) beforebeing filled with liquid crystals (block 807). After filling, themodules can be sealed (block 808). Polarizers and electrical componentscan be attached (block 809). Flexible printed circuits (FPCs) can beattached to their substrates at or near the end of the process (block810).

A finished LCD module 900 is shown in FIG. 9. The illustrated LCD moduleincludes a chip on glass (COG) LCD driver 901 attached to the bottomglass 902 and also includes a flex on glass (FOG) flexible printedcircuit (FPC) 903 attached to the bottom glass 902. Both components canbe electrically connected to bottom glass pads and held in place usingan anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA). Bottom glass 902 can extendbeyond top glass 904 to provide a shelf 905 to mount the COG LCD driver901, the FPC 903, and other supporting components. For handheld devices,the system processor board that manages the data and controls for theLCD can be placed under the backlight 906.

Additional components used to support touch sensing (e.g., FPCs) canalso attach to shelf 905. Other attachment points are also possible.Details are discussed in conjunction with relevant embodiments describedbelow.

1.4. Combining LCDs and Touch Sensing

The stack up diagrams discussed herein may be better understood inconjunction with the block diagrams of FIGS. 10 and 11. Starting at thetop, touch sense electrodes 1001, 1101 can be deposited on the top (userside) of LCD top glass 1002, 1102. Touch drive electrodes 1003, 1103 canbe patterned on the bottom side of top glass 1002, 1102. Conductive dots1004, 1104 can connect drive electrodes 1003, 1103 to driver 1005, 1105,which can also be located on bottom glass 1006, 1106. A shelf 1007, 1107on bottom glass 1006, 1106 can house LCD driver chip 1008, 1108 and thetouch sensor driver chip 1009, which can interface with each other (FIG.10) or be integrated into a single component (FIG. 11). Finally, a FPC1010, 1110, also bonded to the shelf can connect host device 1011, 1111.

2. Integration Options

Some embodiments of an LCD with integral touch sensing can include a topglass and a bottom glass. Display control circuitry can be formed on oneand/or both of these glass layers to affect the amount of light thatpasses through a layer of liquid crystal between the two glass layers.The space between the external edges of the top and bottom glass isreferred to herein as the liquid crystal module (LCM).

A typical LCD stackup 1200 typically includes additional layers, asillustrated in FIG. 12. In FIG. 12, a hard-coated PMMA layer 1201 canprotect a LCD polarizer 1202 and the top glass 1203, and a secondpolarizer 1205 can be included between bottom glass 1204 and a backlight1206.

Integrating touch-sensing technology into an LCD can be achieved using avariety of techniques. For instance, different touch-sensing elementsand/or layers may be incorporated in a LCD display, with differentembodiments varying in factors such as display and/or manufacturingcost, display size, display complexity, display durability, displayfunctionality, and image display quality. In some embodiments,touch-sensing capability can be included into an LCD by integratingtouch-sensing elements on the LCD display outside of the LCM. In otherembodiments, touch-sensing elements can be added both inside the LCM(e.g., between the two glass layers) as well as outside of the LCM. Instill other embodiments, a set of touch-sensing elements can be addedonly inside the LCM (e.g., between the two glass layers). The followingsections describe a number of concepts for each of the above-mentionedembodiments.

2.1. Touch-Sensing Outside of the Liquid Crystal Module

Adding touch-sensing elements outside of the LCM allows touch sensingcapabilities to be added to an LCD display with little to no impact ontypical LCD manufacturing practices. For instance, a touch sensingsystem and LCD display system might be fabricated separately andintegrated in a final step to form an LCD with touch sensingcapabilities. Including the touch-sensing elements outside of the LCMcan also allow the touch-sensing elements to be placed close to the areatouched by the user, potentially reducing electrical interferencebetween the display and touch components.

The following two embodiments, identified as Concept C and Concept N,can incorporate such external touch-sensing elements.

2.1.1. Concept C

One embodiment of the present invention, Concept C, uses the stackupillustrated in FIG. 13, which allows the touch function to be separatefrom the LCD. In Concept C, two additional indium-tin oxide (ITO) layers(ITO1 1301 and ITO2 1302) can be patterned on top of the color filter(CF) plate (e.g., the top glass layer) These layers can be used fortouch sense and touch drive elements of a touch sensor, e.g., amutual-capacitance touch sensor. These ITO layers can be patterned intocolumns and/or rows (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and described in thepreceding multi-touch sensing description), and can be separated by adielectric 1305, such as a glass substrate or a thin (e.g., 5-12 mm)SiO₂ layer.

In some embodiments, the electrode pattern used in the touch elementsmay be optimized to reduce visual artifacts. For instance, FIG. 14illustrates a diamond electrode pattern, which can reduce visualartifacts.

In Concept C, the FPCs that carry touch sensing data can attach to thetop surface of the top glass 1303.

2.1.2. Concept N

One embodiment of the present invention, Concept N, can implementcapacitive sensing on the outside surface of the color filter (CF) plateusing self-capacitance sensing. Concept N can use the stackupillustrated in FIG. 15, in which the touch sensing components can belocated on top of CF plate 1501 (top glass). LCDs based on Concept N canbe built without altering standard LCD processing by forming TFTs 1503with two metal layers and patterned ITO 1500 on CF plate 1501 using, forexample, the same LTPS process used for conventional TFT plate 1504.Touch ITO layer 1500 can be patterned into a plurality of touch pixels1612 (FIG. 16). Touch ITO layer 1500 can be protected by a plastic cover1702 (shown in FIG. 17) that can also serve as the surface touched by auser.

FIG. 16 illustrates a self-capacitance touch pixel circuit for ConceptN. Each ITO touch pixel 1612 can be connected to two TFTs, e.g., aninput TFT 1604 and an output TFT 1608. The input TFT 1604 can charge ITOtouch pixel 1612, while output TFT 1608 can discharge ITO touch pixel1612. The amount of charge moved can depend on the ITO touch pixel's1612 capacitance, which can be altered by the proximity of a finger.Further details of self-capacitance touch-sensing are described aboveand in U.S. Pat. No. 6,323,846, titled “Method and Apparatus forIntegrating Manual Input,” issued Nov. 27, 2001, which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety.

In one embodiment, an output column 1610 can be shared by touch pixelsvertically, and output gates 1606 can be shared by touch pixelshorizontally, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 18 for output column 1610 ‘C0’and output gates 1606 ‘R3’. FIG. 19 shows a detailed layout of a touchpixel.

2.2. Partially-Integrated Touch-Sensing

Integrating touch-sensing elements inside the LCM can provide a varietyof advantages. For example, touch-sensing elements added inside the LCMcould “reuse” ITO layers or other structures that would otherwise beused only for display functions to also provide touch-sensingfunctionality. Incorporating touch-sensing features into existingdisplay layers can also reduce the total number of layers, which canreduce the thickness of the display and simplify the manufacturingprocess.

The following embodiments can include touch-sensing elements inside andoutside the LCM. Because integrating touch-sensing elements within theLCM may result in noise and interference between the two functions, thefollowing designs can also include techniques that allow elements to beshared while reducing or eliminating any negative effects on the displayand/or touch-sensing outputs caused by electrical interference betweenthe two.

2.2.1. Concept A

Concept A can use the basic stackup 2000 illustrated in FIG. 20, with amulti-touch capable (“MT”) ITO sense layer (ITO1) 2001 positioned on theuser side of top glass 2002, between top glass and polarizer 2003.Starting from the top, the touch sensing layers can include: ITO1 2001(an ITO layer that can be patterned into N sense (or drive) lines) andITO2 2004 (an ITO layer that can be patterned into M drive (or sense)lines). ITO2 layer 2004 can also serve as the V_(COM) electrode for theLCD.

2.2.1.1. Concept A: Touch Sensor Electrodes

The touch sensor electrode array can include two layers of patterned ITOas illustrated in FIG. 21 (left side). FIG. 21 is a simplified view ofone possible implementation of touch sensor electrodes. The layer closerto the viewer, ITO1 2101, can be the touch output layer also called thesense layer or the sense lines. The touch drive layer 2102 can belocated on layer ITO2. ITO2 can also form the upper electrode of thecapacitor C_(LC) (see FIG. 7). FIG. 21 (right side) also shows a detailof three sense pixels 2103 a, 2103 b, and 2103 c along with associatedcapacitors. Both the sense and drive lines can have a 5 mm pitch with a10 to 30 micron gap. The gap can be just small enough to be invisible tothe naked eye, but still large enough to be easy to etch with a simpleproximity mask. (Gaps in the figure are greatly exaggerated).

FIG. 22 shows one possible physical implementation for Concept A, withtop view 2201 and side view 2202 of cabling and subsystem placement. Topview 2201 shows the approximate positions of FPC 2203 (discussed ingreater detail below) in an unfolded state. FIG. 22 represents just onephysical implementation where a discrete touch level shifter/decoder COGcan be used. Alternative architectures that minimize the number ofdiscrete touch components are discussed below. For mechanical stability,the FPC can be bent, as shown in side view 2202, so that stress on theT-tab 2204 and B-tab 2205 bonds are minimized. FIG. 23 is a high-levelblock diagram showing one possible architecture 2300 of the main bottomglass components, and the segmented ITO2 layer 2301 on the top glassused for touch sensing. The segments 2302 of ITO2 on the top glass eachconnect through a conductive dot 2303 to a corresponding pad on thebottom glass. The pads on the bottom glass can each connect to the touchdriver, discussed below.

2.2.1.2. Concept A: Conductive Dots

Conductive dots located in the corners of the LCD can be used to connectthe V_(COM) electrode to drive circuits. Additional conductive dots canbe used to connect the touch drive lines to touch-drive circuitry. Thedots can have sufficiently low resistance so as to not add significantlyto the phase delay of the touch drive signals (discussed in greaterdetail below). This can include limiting the resistance of a conductivedot to 10 ohms or less. The size of the conductive dot can also belimited to reduce the real estate needed.

As shown in FIG. 24, elongated conductive dots 2401 can be used toreduce both dot resistance and real estate requirements. Touch drivesegments 2402 can be about 5 mm wide, which can provide a large area toreduce dot resistance.

2.2.1.3. Concept A: Flex Circuit and Touch/LCD Driver IC

A conventional display (e.g., FIG. 9) can have an LCD Driver integratedcircuit (IC) 901, that can control low-level operation of the display. Asystem host processor can exercise high-level control over the displayby sending commands and display data to LCD Driver 901. Multi-touchsystems can also have one or more driver ICs. One exemplary multi-touchcapable system, described in the incorporated references includes threeICs: a multi-touch controller, an external level-shifter/decoder, andcontroller, such as an ARM processor. The ARM processor can exerciselow-level control over the multi-touch controller, which cansubsequently control the level-shifter/decoder. A system host processorcan exercise high-level control over and receive touch data from the ARMprocessor. In some embodiments, these drivers can be integrated into asingle IC.

FIG. 25 shows an example high-level block diagram for a Touch/LCD Driverintegrated circuit 2501. The IC has two main functions: 1) LCD controland update, and 2) touch scanning and data processing. These twofunctions can be integrated by an LCD driver portion 2502 for LCDcontrol and an ARM processor 2503 and multi-touch controller 2504 fortouch scanning and processing. The touch circuits can be synchronizedwith LCD scanning to prevent one from interfering with the other.Communication between the host and either the LCD Driver or the ARMprocessor can be through the host data and control bus 2505. A morefully integrated Touch/LCD Driver is discussed below.

As shown in FIG. 26, an FPC 2601 that brings together the signals forthe various touch and display layers can have three connector tabs, aT-tab 2602, a B-tab 2603, and a host tab 2604. The T-tab can connect tosense line pads on the top glass. The T-tab traces 2605 can connect tocorresponding pads on B-tab 2603, which can also attach to the bottomglass. B-tab 2603 can also provide pass-through routes 2606 from Hosttab 2604 that can enable the host to connect to the Touch/LCD Driver IC.FPC 2601 can also provide the substrate for various components 2607supporting touch and LCD operation, and can also connect to thebacklight FPC through two pads 2608.

The FPC 2601 can be TAB bonded to both the top and bottom glass.Alternatively, other bonding methods can be employed.

2.2.1.4. Concept A: Touch Drive Integrated on Bottom Glass

A level shifter/decoder chip, along with a separate voltage booster(e.g., a 3V to 18V booster), can provide high voltage drive circuitryfor touch sensing. In one embodiment, the Touch/LCD Driver IC cancontrol the level shifter/decoder chip. Alternatively, the voltagebooster and/or the level shifter/decoder can be integrated into theTouch/LCD Driver IC. For example, such integration can be realized usinga high voltage (18V) LTPS process. This can allow integrating the levelshifter/decoder chip and the voltage booster into the periphery of thebottom glass. The level shifter/decoder can also provide the voltagesfor V_(COM) modulation and touch drive as discussed below.

2.2.1.5. Concept A: Sharing Touch Drive with LCD V_(COM)

As discussed above, Concept A can add one layer of ITO to a standard LCDstackup, which can function as the touch sense lines. The touch drivelayer can be shared with the LCD's V_(COM) plane, also denoted ITO2. Fordisplay operation, a standard video refresh rate (e.g., 60 fps) can beused. For touch sensing, a rate of at least 120 times per second can beused. However, the touch scanning rate can also be reduced to a slowerrate, such as 60 scans per second, which can match the display refreshrate. In some embodiments, it may be desirable to not interrupt eitherdisplay refresh or touch scanning. Therefore, a scheme that can allowthe sharing of the ITO2 layer without slowing down or interruptingdisplay refresh or touch scanning (which can be taking place at the sameor different rates) will now be described.

Simultaneous display update and touch scanning is illustrated in FIG.27. In this example, five multi-touch drive segments 2700, 2701, 2702,2703, 2704 are shown. Each touch drive segment can overlap M displayrows. The display can be scanned at 60 frames per second while themulti-touch sensor array can be scanned at 120 times per second. Theillustration shows the time evolution of one display frame lasting 16.67msec. The area of the display currently being updated preferably shouldnot overlap an active touch drive segment.

Patch 2705 indicates where the display rows are being updated. Patch2706 indicates an active touch drive segment. In the upper left cornerof FIG. 27, at the start of the display frame the first M/2 displaylines can be refreshed. At the same time, touch drive segment 1 2701 canbe driven for the purpose of touch sensing. Moving to the right in thefigure, at time t=1.67 ms, the next picture shows the next M/2 displayrows being refreshed, while simultaneously touch drive segment 2 2702can be driven. After about 8.3 msec of this pattern, (start of secondrow) each touch drive segment can have been driven once, and half thedisplay will have been refreshed. In the next 8.3 msec, the entire toucharray can be scanned again, thus providing a scanning rate of 120 fps,while the other half of the display is updated.

Because display scanning typically proceeds in line order, touch drivesegments can be driven out of sequential order to prevent an overlap ofdisplay and touch activity. In the example shown in FIG. 27, the touchdrive order was 1, 2, 3, 4, 0 during the first 8.3 msec and 1, 2, 4, 3,0 in the second 8.3 msec period. The actual ordering can vary dependingon the number of touch drive segments and the number of display rows.Therefore, in general, the ability to program the order of touch driveusage may be desirable. However, for certain special cases, a fixedsequence ordering may be sufficient.

It may also be desirable (for image quality reasons) to separate theactive touch drive segment farther away from the area of the displaybeing updated. This is not illustrated in FIG. 27, but can easily bedone given a sufficient number of touch drive segments (e.g., 6 or moresegments).

Such techniques can effectively allow different refresh rates for thedisplay and touch-sense elements without requiring multiplex circuitryto support a high-frequency display drive element.

2.2.1.6. Concept A: V_(CST) Drive Options

As illustrated in FIG. 7, V_(CST) and V_(COM) can be connected togetherand can thus be modulated together to achieve the desired AC waveformacross the LC. This can help achieve proper display refresh when usingV_(COM) modulation. When V_(COM) is used for touch drive, it is notnecessary to also modulate V_(CST). This can be considered as the OpenCircuit V_(CST) Option, described below. However, if V_(CST) ismodulated with V_(STM), the capacitive load on the touch drive signal,V_(STM), can be reduced, which can lead to a smaller phase delay in thetouch signal. This can be considered as the Drive V_(CST) Option,described below.

FIG. 28 illustrates the Open Circuit V_(CST) Option. Bottom drawing 2802illustrates how one touch drive segment 2803 can overlap M display rows2804. Touch drive segments 2803 located on the top glass can connectelectrically to circuits on the bottom glass through a conductive dot2805. The M V_(CST) lines of the M rows under the touch drive segmentcan connect together on the edge of the display 2806. Top drawing 2801shows the basic circuit for a subpixel with its separate storagecapacitor C_(ST). Area 2807 in the upper drawing can represent Mcontiguous rows of subpixels covered by a single touch drive segment.Display operation and touch sensing for a particular touch drive/displaygroup can occur at different times, as discussed above. When the displaydriver is ready to set the state of the subpixels in the M rows,switches 2808, 2809 can connect V_(COM) Drive 2810 to the M V_(CST)lines 2804 and to the touch drive segment (V_(COM)). The V_(COM) Drivevoltage can be set by the LCD driver to either ground or the supplyrail, depending on the phase of the inversion. Later, when this touchdrive/display group is available for touch usage, switches 2808, 2809can connect the touch drive segment to V_(STM) 2811 and disconnectV_(CST) from V_(COM) Drive 2810, thus leaving it in the open state 2812.

FIG. 29 illustrates the Drive-V_(CST) option. Bottom drawing 2902illustrates how one touch drive segment 2903 can overlap M display rows2904. The touch drive segments 2903 located on the top glass can connectelectrically to circuits on the bottom glass through conductive dot2905. The M V_(CST) lines of the rows under a particular touch drivesegment can connect together on the edge of the display 2906. Topdrawing 2901 shows the basic circuit for a subpixel having a separatestorage capacitor C_(ST). Area 2907 in the upper drawing can represent Mcontiguous rows of subpixels covered by a single touch drive segment.Display operation and touch sensing can occur at different times. Whenthe display driver is ready to set the state of the subpixels in the Mrows, switch 2908 can connect V_(COM) Drive 2910 to the M V_(CST) lines2904 and to the touch drive segment (V_(COM)). The V_(COM) Drive 2910voltage can be set by the LCD driver to typically either ground or asupply rail depending on the phase of the inversion. Later, when thistouch drive/display group is available for touch usage, switch 2908 canconnect the V_(CST) and the touch drive segment (V_(COM)) to V_(STM)2911.

2.2.1.7. Concept A: MT-Drive Capacitive Loading

The capacitive load on Concept A's touch drive line can be high, forexample, because of the thin (e.g., ˜4 μm) gap between the touch drivelayer and the bottom glass, which can be covered by a mesh of metalroutes and pixel ITO. The liquid crystals can have a rather high maximumdielectric constant (e.g., around 10).

The capacitance of the touch drive segment can affect the phase delay ofthe stimulating touch pulse, V_(STM). If the capacitance is too high,and thus there is too much phase delay, the resulting touch signal canbe negatively impacted. Analysis performed by the inventors indicatesthat keeping ITO2 sheet resistance to about 30 ohms/sq or less can keepphase delay within optimal limits.

2.2.1.8. Concept A: Electrical Model and V_(COM)-Induced Noise

Because ITO2 can be used simultaneously for both touch drive and LCDV_(COM), modulating V_(COM) can add noise to the touch signal.

For example, a noise component may be added to the touch signal when onetouch drive segment is being modulated with V_(COM) at the same timeanother touch drive segment is being used for touch sensing. The amountof added noise depends on the phase, amplitude, and frequency of theV_(COM) modulation with respect to V_(STM). The amplitude and frequencyof V_(COM) depend on the inversion method used for the LCD.

FIG. 30 shows an electrical model for the situation where touch drive3001 is used for both touch sensing and LCD V_(COM) modulation. Themodel shows the input path through which V_(COM) modulation can addnoise to the input of charge amplifier 3002.

In some embodiments, charge amplifier 3002 may need additional headroomto accommodate noise induced by V_(COM) 3003. Additionally, subsequentfiltering circuits (e.g., synchronous demodulators, not shown) may needto remove the noise signal due to the V_(COM) modulation.

2.2.1.9. Concept A: V_(STM) Effects

V_(STM) modulation, under certain conditions, can have a negative impacton the voltages of the subpixels underneath the touch drive segmentbeing modulated. If the subpixel RMS voltage changes appreciably,display artifacts may be produced. One or more of the followingtechniques may be employed to minimize display distortion that mayresult.

Touch drive from two sides can reduce the distortion of the LC pixelvoltage. As shown in FIG. 31, touch drive from both sides can beachieved by employing the existing low resistance C_(ST) routes 3101 onthe bottom glass by connecting V_(STM) to C_(ST) lines on both sidesthrough conductive dots 3102. Alternatively, single-ended touch drivecan produce a pixel offset voltage that is uniform for all pixels, whichcan be reduced or eliminated by adjusting the data drive levels. Also,reducing the ITO sheet resistance can help reduce display artifacts.Finally, the phase and frequency of V_(STM) can also be tied to thephase and frequency of V_(COM) to reduce the amount of noise in thetouch signal.

2.2.1.10. Concept A: Impact on Manufacturing

The manufacturing process for Concept A can include additional stepsrelative to a typical LCD manufacturing process. Some may be new stepsentirely and some may be modifications to existing steps. FIG. 32 showsa manufacturing process flow for Concept A. Blocks 3201, 3202, and 3204represent new steps, and blocks 3205, 3206, and 3207 represent amodified step, both relative to a conventional LCD manufacturingprocesses (e.g., that of FIG. 8).

Applying and patterning ITO1 (blocks 3201, 3202) can be done using knownmethods. The ITO can be protected during the remainder of the LCDprocessing. Photoresist can be used to provide a removable protectivecoating. Alternatively, silicon dioxide can provide a permanentprotective covering. ITO2 can be applied and patterned (block 3204) toform the touch drive segments in similar fashion.

An analysis of phase delay indicates that the sheet resistance of ITO1and ITO2 can be as high as 400 ohms/square for small displays (<=4″diagonal), provided that the capacitive loading on either plane issmall. As discussed above, the capacitive loading with Concept A can beof such magnitude that it may be desired to limit the maximum sheetresistance for ITO2 to around 30 ohms/square or less.

2.2.2. Concept A60

Concept A60 can be physically similar to Concept A and can provide adifferent approach to the problem of synchronizing display updates andtouch scanning. This can be accomplished by using the I-line inversionof V_(COM) as the stimulus for the touch signal (i.e., V_(STM)). This isillustrated in FIG. 33, which shows how a single touch drive segment3301 can be modulated while other touch drive segments can be held at aconstant voltage. With this approach, the problem of removing theunwanted V_(COM)-induced noise from the touch signal can be eliminated.Furthermore, it is not necessary to spatially separate display updatingand touch sensor scanning. However, using this approach, demodulationcan be done at a single frequency (i.e., the V_(COM) modulationfrequency, e.g., ˜14.4 kHz) as opposed to the multi-frequencydemodulation described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/381,313,titled “Multipoint Touch Screen Controller,” filed May 2, 2006,incorporated by reference herein. Furthermore, using this approach, thetouch sensor scan rate can be fixed at the video refresh rate (e.g., 60per second).

2.2.3. Concept B

Concept B, illustrated in FIG. 34, can be similar to Concept A, sharingmany of the same electrical, cabling, and structural aspects. However,Concept B can integrate the touch drive layer into the V_(COM) layer.Concept B can therefore differ in the number and stack position of ITOlayers used for LCD and touch sensing. Because of the similarities,Concept B will now be described by highlighting differences betweenConcepts A and B.

Concept B can split the shared ITO2 layer of Concept A into two ITOlayers, using one layer for touch sensing (ITO2) 3402 and one layer forthe LCD V_(COM) (ITO3) 3403. Starting from the top, layers used fortouch sensing can include: ITO1 3401, an ITO layer that can be patternedinto N touch sense lines; ITO2 3402, an ITO layer that can be patternedinto M touch drive lines; and ITO3 3403, an ITO layer that can serve asthe V_(COM) electrode for the LCD. Touch drive layer (ITO2) 3402 can bedeposited on the lower surface of top glass 3404, above the color filter3405.

Separating V_(COM) from touch drive elements can reduce interference.

2.2.3.1. Concept B: Touch Sensor Electrodes

Concept B can include touch sensor electrodes substantially similar tothose described above for Concept A.

2.2.3.2. Concept B: Conductive Dots

As in Concept A, Concept B can use additional conductive dots 3406,which can be located in the corners of the LCD, to connect the touchdrive segments to dedicated circuitry. Because V_(COM) need not beshared with touch sensing, Concept B can retain the corner dots thatconnect V_(COM) to its drive circuitry. Additionally (as discussedbelow), Concept B may add even more conductive dots for V_(COM).

2.2.3.3. Concept B: Flex Circuit and Touch/LCD Driver IC

Concept B can use a FPC and Touch/LCD Driver IC substantially similar tothose described for Concept A.

2.2.3.4. Concept B: Synchronization with LCD Scanning

For Concept B, although the V_(COM) layer can be separate from the touchdrive layer, it still may be desired to synchronize touch scanning withLCD updating to physically separate the active touch drive from thedisplay area being updated. The synchronization schemes previouslydescribed for Concept A can also be used for Concept B.

2.2.3.5. Concept B: MT-Drive Capacitive Loading

As with Concept A, the capacitive load on Concept B's touch drive linecan be high. The large capacitance can be due to the thin (e.g., ˜5 μm)dielectric between touch drive (ITO2) 3402 and V_(COM) plane (ITO3)3403. One way to reduce undesirable phase delay in the touch stimulussignal can be to lower the ITO drive line resistance through theaddition of parallel metal traces. Phase delay can also be reduced bydecreasing the output resistance of the level shifter/decoder.

2.2.3.6. Concept B: Electrical Model and V_(COM)-Induced Noise

Because the entire V_(COM) plane can be coupled to the touch drivelayer, multi-touch charge amplifier operation may be disrupted by noiseinduced by V_(COM) modulation. To mitigate these effects Concept B canhave a constant V_(COM) voltage.

Conversely, the coupling between ITO2 3402 and ITO3 3403 (V_(COM) andtouch drive) can cause interference with the V_(COM) voltage that cancause the wrong data voltage can be stored on the LC pixel. To reducethe modulation of V_(COM) by V_(STM), the number of conductive dotsconnecting V_(COM) to the bottom glass can be increased. For example, inaddition to V_(COM) dots at each corner of the viewing area, conductivedots can be placed at the middle of each edge.

Distortion resulting from V_(COM)-V_(STM) coupling can be furtherreduced by synchronizing V_(STM) with V_(COM) and turning off the pixelTFT at just the right time. For example, if the line frequency is 28.8kHz, and the touch drive frequency is a multiple of this (e.g., 172.8,230.4 and 288 kHz) then the V_(COM) distortion can have the same phaserelationship for all pixels, which can reduce or eliminate visibility ofthe V_(COM) distortion. Additionally, if the gates of the pixel TFTs areturned off when the distortion has mostly decayed, the LC pixel voltageerror can be reduced. As with Concept A, the phase and frequency ofV_(STM) can be tied to the phase and frequency of V_(COM) to reduce theamount of noise in the touch signal.

2.2.3.7. Concept B: Impact on Manufacturing

As with Concept A, Concept B can also add steps to the LCD manufacturingprocess. FIG. 35 shows a manufacturing process flow for Concept B, inwhich blocks 3501, 3502, 3503, and 3504 represent new steps relative toa conventional LCD manufacturing process (e.g., that depicted in FIG.8), and blocks 3506, 3507, 3508, and 3509 represent a modification to anexisting step (e.g., also relative to FIG. 8).

ITO1 can be applied (block 3501) and patterned (block 3502) using knownmethods, as with Concept A. The sheet resistance of ITO1 and ITO2 canalso be substantially similar to that described for Concept A. ForConcept B, the ITO2 layer deposition (block 3503) can be routine becauseit can be directly applied to glass. Electrical access between the ITO2layer and the bottom glass for the conductive dots that connect to thetouch drive segments can be easily accomplished by etching using ashadow mask (block 3504).

ITO3 (e.g., the LCD's V_(COM) layer), which can have a sheet resistancebetween 30 and 100 ohms/square, can also be applied (block 3505) usingconventional methods. However, as discussed above, V_(COM) voltagedistortion can be reduced by reducing the resistance of the ITO3 layer.If necessary, lower effective resistance for ITO3 can be achieved byadding metal traces that run parallel to the touch drive segments. Themetal traces can be aligned with the black matrix so as to not interferewith the pixel openings. The density of metal traces can be adjusted(between one per display row to about every 32 display rows) to providethe desired resistance of the V_(COM) layer.

2.2.4. Concept B′

Concept B′ can be understood as a variation of Concept B that eliminatesthe ITO2 drive layer and instead uses a conductive black matrix (e.g., alayer of CrO₂ below the top glass) as the touch drive layer.Alternatively, metal drive lines can be hidden behind a black matrix,which can be a polymer black matrix. This can provide several benefits,including: (1) eliminating an ITO layer; (2) reducing the effect ofV_(STM) on the V_(COM) layer; and (3) simplifying the manufacturingprocess. The manufacturing process can be simplified because using theblack matrix for touch drive can eliminate the need to pattern an ITOlayer above the color filter.

FIG. 36 shows a side view 3601 and top view 3602 of Concept B′. As canbe seen, side view 3601 looks very much like a standard LCD stack-up,except for the top layer of ITO 3603 used for touch sensing. The bottomdiagram of FIG. 36 shows how the black matrix 3604 can be partitionedinto separate touch drive segments. The mesh pattern can follow thepattern of a conventional black matrix, except that each drive segmentcan be electrically isolated from the other segments. To compensate forreduced touch signal strength that can be caused by using the blackmatrix mesh for touch drive, the charge amp gain can be increased (e.g.,about 4×).

Because the touch sensing layer may not be shielded from the V_(COM)layer, V_(COM) modulation may interfere with the touch signal.Furthermore, touch drive may still interfere with the V_(COM) voltage.Both of these issues can be addressed by segmenting the V_(COM) layer asdescribed with Concept A and/or spatially separating display updatingand touch sensing as described above. A constant V_(COM) voltage canalso be used to address these issues.

2.2.5. Concept K

Concept K is illustrated in FIGS. 37 (circuit diagram) and 38 (stackupdiagram). Concept K utilizes the fact that select pulses in the TFT LCDcan be partially transferred to the pixel ITO when the C_(ST)-on-gateconfiguration is used.

As shown in the display stackup of FIG. 38, the viewer can face activearray plate 3801 rather than CF plate 3802. ITO pixels 3803 on theactive array can provide the V_(STM) pulses for the touch sensor, withthe display rows alternatively being used for V_(STM) pulses and fordisplay addressing. ITO sense layer 3804 on plastic polarizer 3805 canbe laminated to the back of array plate 3801 to provide thetouch-sensing layer. A thin glass layer (e.g., 0.2 mm) can help improvethe signal-to-noise ratio.

During display updates, rows can be selected individually to update thepixel data (as shown in FIG. 39). To generate V_(STM) for touch sensing,multiple rows 4001 can be selected simultaneously, while high datavoltage 4003 can be applied to the column lines 4002 to keep the TFTsoff (as shown in FIG. 40). The column driver can adjust the timing ofdata signals from a display memory to accommodate the touch driveintervals.

In one embodiment, a touch pulse sequence can simultaneously pulse about30 rows 4001 during a touch scan interval. FIG. 41 shows the effect of atouch drive pulse (V_(STM)) on the subpixel voltages of the LCD. Theadded voltage from the V_(STM) pulses can be compensated by a DC offsetof V_(COM) and/or gamma correction of the display data grey levels.

Concept K can allow a number of advantages. Because the display pixelsand touch sensors share drive circuitry, the level shifter/decoder maybe eliminated. Additionally, a conventional CF plate can be used.Furthermore, no extra conductive dots between the top and bottom glassare needed. Busline reflections may increase the reflectance (R) forportions of the display, and hence call for the use of an extra filmunder the buslines (such as CrO under Cr) that can reduce R.

2.2.6. Concept X′

Concept X′ is illustrated in FIG. 42 (circuit diagram) and FIG. 43(stackup diagram). Concept X′ utilizes the fact that V_(STM) pulses canbe similar to gate pulses for the TFT pixel switches (e.g., a 15 to 18 Vswing). In Concept X′, the touch drive segments 4301 can be part of theLTPS active array and can form the counter electrode for the pixelstorage capacitors C_(ST). C_(ST) can be formed between two ITO layers4301, 4302. In this embodiment, the active array plate 4303, rather thanthe color filter plate 4304 can be on the user side of the display.

As shown in FIG. 42, a pulse sequence with three different frequencies4201 for V_(STM) can be shared by three rows of pixels 4202 to selectthose rows. The ITO touch drive segments 4203 can be patterned under aset of rows adjacent to addressed rows. Touch drive segments 4203 can beconnected to GND by TFTs 4204 when not connected to V_(STM).

Changes that can be made to the processing steps to construct Concept X′can include the following. First, a patterned sense ITO can be added onthe outside of the array substrate. Second, SiO₂ protection can be addedon the sense ITO during LTPS processing. Protective resist could also beused. Third, touch drive ITO can be deposited and patterned under theSiO₂ barrier layer (which can be found in typical LTPS processes) forthe LTPS array. Finally, vias can be patterned in the barrier SiO₂ tocontact the touch drive ITO layer. This step can be combined with asubsequent process step.

Concept X′ can allow a number of advantages. For example, because thedisplay and touch sensors share drive circuitry, the levelshifter/decoder chip can be eliminated. Additionally, no change to theCF plate is required, so conventional color filter processing can beused. Further, because the storage capacitor C_(ST) can be locatedbetween two ITO layers, high transmittance can be achieved. Anotheradvantage can be that extra conductive dots between the array plate 4303and CF plate 4304 may be eliminated.

2.3. Fully-Integrated Touch-Sensing

A third set of embodiments of the present invention fully integrate thetouch-sensing elements inside the LCM. As with partially-integratedtouch-sensing, existing layers in the LCM can serve double duty to alsoprovide touch-sensing functionality, thereby reducing display thicknessand simplifying manufacturing. The fully-integrated touch-sensing layerscan also be protected between the glass layers.

In some embodiments, the fully-integrated LCD can include a V_(COM)layer similar to those described in previous embodiments. In otherembodiments, the fully-integrated touch-sensing LCD can includein-plane-switching (IPS) LCD constructions, which are described infurther detail in the following sections.

2.3.1. Fully-Integrated V_(COM)-Based LCDs

2.3.1.1. Concept A′

Concept A′ can be considered as a variation of Concept A that eliminatesthe ITO sense layer (ITO1 2001 in FIG. 20) in favor of a conductiveblack matrix layer (below the top glass) used as the touch sense layer.Alternatively, metal sense lines can be hidden behind a black matrix,which can be a polymer black matrix. As a result, Concept A′ can alsoeliminate the T-tab on the FPC and the corresponding bonding to the topglass. Touch sense lines can be routed through conductive dots to thebottom glass and can directly connect to the Touch/LCD Driver chip.Furthermore, the FPC can be a standard LCD FPC. Elimination ofmanufacturing steps and components can lead to a reduction in costcompared to Concepts A and B.

FIG. 44 shows one way substitution of a conductive black matrix for thetouch sense layer can be accomplished. FIG. 44 includes a side view 4401of the upper portion of a single pixel with its black matrix 4403running between primary color sections 4404. Touch drive segment 4405can be separated from black matrix lines 4403 by planarizing dielectriclayer 4406. FIG. 44 also shows top view 4402 of the display with blackmatrix lines 4403 running vertically. Approximately 96 black matrixlines (e.g., 32 pixels worth) can connect together into the negativeterminal of charge amplifier 4907. Touch drive segments 4405 can bedriven as described above. A finger approaching top glass 4408 canperturb the electric field between vertical black matrix lines 4403 andtouch drive segment 4405. The perturbation can be amplified by chargeamplifier 4407 and further processed as described elsewhere herein.

Because of the depth of touch sense lines 4403 in the display, theminimum distance between a finger or touch object and sense lines 4403may be limited. This can decrease the strength of the touch signal. Thiscan be addressed by reducing the thickness of layers above the touchsense layer, thereby allowing a closer approach of the finger or othertouch object to the sense lines.

2.3.1.2. Concept X

Concept X is illustrated in FIGS. 45 and 46. The stack-up for Concept X,shown in FIG. 45, can be basically identical to that of a standard LCD.Touch sense layer 4501 can be embedded within the V_(COM) layer (ITO2),which can serve the dual purpose of providing the V_(COM) voltage planeand acting as the output of the touch sensor. The touch drive layer canalso be embedded within an existing LCD layer. For example, touch drivecan be located on bottom glass 4503 and can be part of the LCD selectline circuitry (see FIG. 5). The select circuit can thus serve a dualpurpose of providing gate signals for the subpixel TFTs and the touchdrive signal V_(STM). FIG. 46 is a top view of Concept X showing onepossible arrangement of the touch sense layer with its floating pixels4601 embedded in the V_(COM) layer.

2.3.1.3. Concept H

Concept H is illustrated in FIGS. 47-50. Concept H need not include anyITO outside the top glass or plastic layer of the display. As a result,the manufacturing processes can be very similar to existing displaymanufacturing processes.

As shown in FIG. 47, the touch-sensing part of the screen can be atransparent resistive sheet 4701, for example, a glass or plasticsubstrate having an unpatterned layer of ITO deposited thereon. TheV_(COM) layer of the display may be used for this touch-sensing part.Because this layer need not be patterned, a photolithography step can beeliminated from the manufacturing process as compared to someembodiments discussed above. For purposes of reference herein, the sideswill be referred to as north, south, east, and west as indicated in thedrawing.

A plurality of switches 4702 can be arranged about the perimeter of theresistive sheet. These switches can be implemented as TFTs on glass.Also shown are a plurality of conductive dots 4703, at each switchlocation, that can connect V_(COM) (on the top glass) to the TFT layeron the bottom glass, in the border region of the display. Switches 4702can be connected together into two busses, for example, with the northand east switches connected to one bus 4704 and the south and westswitches connected to a second bus 4705.

For touch sensing, switches 4702 can be operated as follows. The northand south switches can be used to measure the Y-direction capacitance.The left and right side switches can be used to measure the X-directioncapacitance. The switches at the northeast and southwest corners can beused for both X and Y measurement. Capacitance can be measured bystimulating resistive sheet 4701 with a modulation waveform V_(MOD),illustrated in FIG. 49. The current (i.e., charge) required to drive thesheet to the desired voltage can be measured and used to determine thelocation of the touch.

Specifically, as illustrated in the waveforms for FIG. 49, in theabsence of touch, the baseline capacitances 4902 can indicate thecurrent (charge) required to stimulate the sheet 4701 to the V_(MOD)voltage. In the presence of touch, greater current 4903 (charge) may berequired because of the capacitance of the finger. This greater currentis illustrated in the lower group of waveforms. The position of thetouch can then be determined by simple mathematical combination of thebaseline and signal waveforms as illustrated in FIG. 49.

An equivalent circuit for the touch screen during the X-direction (i.e.,east-west) measurement is illustrated in FIG. 48. C_PARA 4801 can be thedistributed parasitic resistance of the sheet, and C_FINGER 4802 can bethe capacitance of a touch, e.g., located approximately 75% of the wayto the east side. The block diagrams indicate how the plate can bedriven to V_(MOD) and how the charge can be measured, combined,processed, and sent to the host.

FIG. 50 illustrates how Concept H can be integrated with an LCD.Specifically, conductive dots 5001 can connect to the TFT layer, whichcan allow resistive sheet 5002 (V_(COM)) to be modulated for displayoperation. Touch sensing operation and display operation can be timemultiplexed. For example, assuming a 60 Hz screen refresh rate,corresponding to a 16 ms LCD update period, part of this time can beused for writing information to the LCD, and another part can be usedfor touch sensing. During LCD updating, V_(MOD) can be V_(COM) from theLCD driver circuit. During touch sensing, waveforms having differentfrequencies and amplitudes may be used depending on the exact details ofthe touch system, such as desired SNR, parasitic capacitances, etc. Itshould also be noted that the touch-sensing circuitry in thisembodiment, illustrated in block diagram form, can either be integratedinto the LCD driver or can be a separate circuit.

2.3.1.4. Concept J

Concept J, like Concept H, need not include any ITO outside the topglass or plastic layer of the display. Physical construction of ConceptJ is illustrated in FIG. 51. The touch-sensing surface can be aresistive sheet 5101 like Concept H, but patterned into a number of rowstrips 5102. Patterning may be accomplished by photolithography, laserdeletion, or other known patterning techniques. By patterning resistivesheet 5101 into a plurality of strips 5102, the switches along the topand bottom (north and south) can be eliminated, leaving east and westswitches 5103 connected to the row strips. Each row 5102 can bestimulated in sequence, using, for example, the V_(MOD) waveform 5201illustrated in FIG. 52. The current (charge) required to drive each row5102 to the modulation voltage can be a function of the capacitance ofthe row, which can be a combination of the parasitic capacitance (C_PARA5301, FIG. 53) for a given row and the capacitance of the finger orother touch object (C_FINGER 5302, FIG. 53).

As shown in FIG. 52, the signal in the presence of touch 5202 can bemathematically combined with the baseline signal 5203 to compute thecoordinates of the touch. The Y outputs can be determined by thecentroids of Z outputs for each row. The X outputs can be determined bya weighted average of the X outputs for each row.

FIG. 54 shows how the Concept J touch sensor can be integrated with anLCD. Conductive dots 5401 can connect V_(COM) on the top glass to theTFT layer on the bottom glass. Touch and display operations need not betime division multiplexed. Rather, while a portion of the display isbeing updated, another portion may be scanned for touch. Varioustechniques for so doing are discussed above with respect to otherembodiments. The touch sensing may use different frequencies andamplitudes, but may be phase synchronized with the LCD row inversion.Switches 5402 can be implemented as TFTs on glass. The measurementcircuitry can either be integrated with the LCD controller or a separatecomponent.

2.3.1.5. Concept L

In Concept L, active TFT layers can be added to the color filter glassto allow a segmented ITO layer to provide multiple functionssimultaneously across different regions of an LCD display. A stackupdiagram for Concept L is illustrated in FIG. 55. Concept L can containthe same number of ITO layers as a standard LCD display. However, whileITO1 5509 and other structures 5507, 5508 on bottom glass 5511 canremain standard, an active TFT layer 5501 on the color filter glass 5505can allow a region (e.g., a horizontal row) of ITO2 5504 to be switchedbetween the role of V_(COM), touch drive, or touch sense.

FIG. 56 illustrates a Concept L display with a horizontally-segmentedITO2 layer 5504. Different regions of the display are concurrently:undergoing V_(COM) modulation (region 5601) and/or being written (region5602); providing touch stimulus (region 5603); being measured to providetouch sense (region 5604); and maintaining a hold state (region 5605).The transistors in the active TFT layer 5501 can switch the signals foreach horizontal row to the desired function for a specified timeinterval. Each region can have equal exposure to each state, in the samesequence, to substantially eliminate non-uniformity. Because providingtouch stimulus may disturb the voltage across the LC, LCD pixel writingcan take place just after the touch stimulus phase to reduce the timeduration of any disturbance. LCD pixel writing for a region can occurduring V_(COM) modulation, while adjacent segments can be undergoingV_(COM) modulation to maintain uniform boundary conditions during pixelwriting.

The color filter plate can be formed using a process similar to theprocess used for the active array. Forming the additional TFT layers mayinvolve additional steps, but the back-end processing of the twosubstrates can remain substantially similar to that of a standard LCD.These techniques can allow such displays to scale to larger-sized panelswithout using low-resistivity ITO.

2.3.1.6. Concepts M1 and M2

FIGS. 57 and 58 show stackup diagrams for Concepts M1 and M2,respectively. Concepts M1 and M2 can add layers of patterned ITO andmetal to the color filter glass for touch sensing. While concepts M1 andM2 are similar, one difference relates to different uses of the ITO1 andITO2 layers. Concept M1 can use ITO1 5701 for touch sense and can useITO2 5702 for both V_(COM) (when setting/holding LCD pixel voltages) andtouch drive (when not writing pixel voltages). Concept M2 can use ITO15801 for touch drive, and can use ITO2 5802 for V_(COM) and touch sense.For both Concepts M1 and M2, top glass 5703, 5803 need not include anytransistors or other active components.

In either concept M1 or M2, V_(COM) can be segmented to allow one regionof the display to keep a constant V_(COM) during display updating whileanother region can be independently scanned for touches. This can reduceinterference between the touch-sensing and display functions.

FIGS. 59,60, and 61 show an exemplary display (corresponding to ConceptM2) that has been segmented into three regions (5901, 5902, 5903; FIG.59), and wherein two regions can be simultaneously touch-scanned (e.g.,regions 5901, 5902) while a third region's display pixels can be updated(e.g., region 5903). On the left side of FIG. 61, twenty seven verticaldrive lines 6101 in the ITO1 and M1 (metal 1) layers can provide threedifferent regions with nine touch columns each. Each drive line (3 pertouch column) can have a conductive dot (not shown) down to the arrayglass, and can be routed to a driver ASIC.

The right side of FIG. 61 shows the possible modes for the segmentedhorizontal rows of the ITO2 layer, which include V_(COM) and V_(HOLD)for a first set of alternating rows 6102 and V_(COM), V_(HOLD), andV_(SENSE) for a second set of alternating rows 6103. Each ITO2 row canconnect via a conductive dot (not shown) down to the array glass, fromwhich the mode of the row can be switched using LTPS TFT switches. Theright side of FIG. 61 shows twenty-one sense rows, of which fourteen canbe sensed at any time (although other numbers of rows could also bemore).

FIG. 62 shows the circuit diagram for touch sensing in the exemplarydisplay illustrated in FIGS. 59, 60, and 61. V_(STM) driver 6200 sends asignal through metal drive column 6202, which can have a resistance ofR_(metcol) and a parasitic capacitance of C_(drv). Touch capacitanceC_(sig) can be measured across the ITO row, which can have a resistanceof R_(ito2row) and a parasitic capacitance of C_(ito2row). Thetouch-sensing charge can also be affected by two additional resistances,R_(sw1) and R_(border), before reaching charge amplifier 6204.

A display frame update rate of 60 fps can correspond to a touch scanrate of 120 fps. If desired (e.g., in small multi-touch displays)designers may choose to reduce the touch scan rate (e.g., to 60 fps),thereby saving power and possibly reducing complexity. As a result, someregions of the display can be left in a “hold state” when neitherdisplay updating nor touch scanning is occurring in that region.

FIG. 63 shows a display in which the display regions can be scanned andupdated horizontally instead of vertically (as in FIG. 60). The touchdrive and touch sense regions can be interleaved so that a stimulusapplied to touch drive row 6301 can be simultaneously sensed from twosense rows 6302 and 6303, as indicated by sense field lines 6305.

The black mask layer can be used to hide metal wires and/or gaps in ITOlayers. For example, the metal drive lines, etched gaps in ITO2, andetched gaps in ITO1 can be fully or partially hidden behind the blackmask (as shown in FIG. 64). This can reduce or eliminate the visualimpact these items may have on the display's user.

2.3.1.7. Concept M3

As shown in FIG. 65, Concept M3 can be similar to Concepts M1 and M2,but with touch drive and touch sense integrated into a single, segmentedITO layer 6501. While various embodiments described above included driveand sense electrodes on separate layers, Concept M3 can include driveand sense electrodes in the same plane. A dielectric layer 6502 can beadded to shield the touch-sensing elements from other electrical fieldsand/or effects.

FIGS. 66 and 67 illustrate a Concept M3 display segmented into threeregions 6601, 6602, 6603, each of which can alternate through a touchstim/sense phase, a LCD pixel writing phase, and a hold phase duringevery cycle update of the display frame. FIG. 68 illustrates a wiringdetail and layout arrangement that enables partitioning the display.ITO1 rows 6801 can connect via conductive dots 6802 to LTPS switches onthe TFT glass that switch the voltage for the row between V_(COM) andV_(HOLD). Three sense lines 6803 can be used for each column (one senseline for each region), with the lines multiplexed so that the signal forthe active region can be measured in the corresponding timeframe. Duringtouch scanning for a region, the touch drive elements corresponding to arow in the region can be activated, and all of the columns for that rowcan be simultaneously sensed. During the time that one region of thedisplay is scanned for touches, another region can be modulating V_(COM)and/or updating the display pixels.

Metal segments (6805 in FIG. 68) can be added to regions of the ITO toreduce the resistance of the ITO. For example, short metal segments canbe added to the ITO1 drive electrodes 6804 to reduce phase delay of thetouch signal. These metal lines may be hidden behind a black mask layer.

As illustrated in FIG. 69, guard traces 6903 can be used to block fieldlines between the touch and sense electrodes that do not pass up throughthe glass where they would be affected by a finger or other touchobject. This can reduce noise and enhance the measured effect of touchesto the display. FIG. 70 shows a top-view 7001 and a cross-section 7002of a display without guard traces, in which a narrow gap separates therows of touch-sensing elements, e.g., drive electrodes 7003 and senseelectrodes 7004. Grounding the ITO2 layer 7005 (V_(COM)) when touchsensing is active can shield touch sensing and display functions fromone another. FIG. 69 shows a top-view 11101 and a cross-section 6902 ofa display that includes grounded guard traces 6903 between rows oftouch-sensing elements on ITO1, e.g., drive electrodes 6904 and senseelectrodes 6905.

2.3.1.8. Concepts P1 and P2

Concepts P1 and P2, like Concept M3, can provide touch drive and touchsense electrodes in the same plane. However, Concepts P1 and P2 canprovide an additional benefit of individually-addressable touch-pixels,as shown in FIG. 71. Each touch pixel can include a drive electrode7102, a sense electrode 7103, and corresponding drive lines 7104 andsense lines 7105 that can be individually routed and connected to a buson the border of the display. These lines may be formed using conductiveblack mask, thereby allowing black mask areas already present in thedisplay to provide additional service for touch sensing. Alternatively,the lines may be metal lines disposed behind a black matrix, which canbe a polymer black matrix.

FIG. 72 shows a stackup diagram for Concept P1. Concept P1 can differfrom a standard LCD process in various respects. For example, a portionof the standard polymer black mask can be changed to black chrome withlow-resistance metal backing. These conductive lines can then be used toroute signals to and from the touch pixels. A layer of patterned ITO7202 can be added behind the black mask in an additional mask step.STN-style conductive dots 7203 can be added to route the drive and sensesignals for each touch pixel to the LTPS TFT plate (e.g., using 2 dotsper touch pixel). The color filter layer and the bordering planarizationlayer 7204 can also be thickened to decrease the capacitance between thetouch drive and V_(COM).

FIG. 73 shows a stackup diagram for Concept P2. In addition toincorporating the four changes described above with respect to ConceptP1, Concept P2 can also include a patterned ITO layer 7301 that can beused to create a segmented V_(COM). Segmenting V_(COM) can isolate touchdrive and display operation, thereby potentially improving thesignal-to-noise ratio. FIG. 74 shows a circuit diagram highlighting theV_(COM) signal coupling for Concept P2. Keeping independent buses(Vholdbus1 and Vholdbus2) for return current can reduce the couplingcharge. Also, using complementary drive for half of the touch pixels canreduce the return current in Vholdbus1.

FIGS. 71 and 75 illustrate an exemplary routing of touch sense and touchdrive lines to and from the sense and drive pixels. A set of drive andsense lines can be routed horizontally from bus lines 7501, 7502 at thesides of the display to each individual touch pixel 7101. These linescan be hidden behind a black mask layer, or can be incorporated into aconductive black mask layer. This routing can also be on a single layer.Signals for individual touch pixels can be addressed and multiplexedthrough the bus lines using LTPS TFTs.

The ability to drive individual pixels, rather than whole rows, can beused to reduce parasitic capacitance. Individually-addressable touchpixels can also allow the touch array to be scanned in “random access”mode, rather than just row-by-row. This can increase flexibility ininterlacing touch sensing and display updating. For example FIG. 76illustrates a possible scan pattern. Because the system can scan thetouch pixels in any desired pattern, a scan pattern can be designed thatensures that adjacent rows and adjacent pixels are never driven at thesame time, thereby avoiding fringe field interaction that can result insignal loss or a lower signal-to-noise ratio. In FIG. 76, the squares7601 and 7602 each comprise one drive electrode and one sense electrode.Squares 7601 correspond to in phase drive while squares 7602 correspondto 180 degree out-of-phase drive signal. In the figure, two rows(totaling twenty pixels) can be covered in five sequences, with fourpixels scanned at a time.

2.3.1.9. Concept D

Another embodiment, Concept D, can support multi-touch sensing using twosegmented ITO layers and an additional transistor for each touch pixel.FIG. 77 shows a circuit diagram for Concept D. During display updates,the circuit can function as in a standard LCD display. Gate drive 7700can drive two transistors (Q1 7702 and Q2 7704), thereby allowingsignals from V_(COM) bus 7706 and data lines 7708 to transfer charge toa set of capacitors controlling the LC (C_(ST) 7710, C_(LC1) 7712, andC_(LC2) 7714). When transistor Q2 7704 is turned off V_(COM) 7706 isdisconnected from C_(ST) 7710, allowing V_(COM) line 7706 to be used fortouch sensing. Specifically, V_(COM) line 7706 can be used to sendcharge through C_(IN) 7716 and C_(OUT) 7718, through the data line 7708(which acts as a touch sense line) into charge amplifier 7720. Aconductive object (such as a user's finger, stylus, etc.) approachingthe display can perturb the capacitances of the system in a manner thatcan be measured by the charge amplifier 7720.

FIGS. 78 and 79 show stackup diagrams for a sub-pixel in a ConceptD-based display. In FIG. 78, the ITO1 layer can be segmented into twoplates, A 7722 and C 7726. The ITO2 layer can be segmented into islands(e.g., B 7724) that can be located over sub-pixels and serve as thecounter-electrodes to the plates in the ITO1 layer. During displayupdate, voltage differences between island 7724 and the plates (A 7722,C 7726) can be used to control liquid crystal 7804. During touchsensing, perturbations to the capacitances throughout the subpixel(e.g., C_(lc1), C_(lc2), Cin, Cout, and Cst in FIG. 77) can be measuredto determine the proximity of a conductive object.

FIG. 80 shows a combined wiring and stackup diagram for Concept D. FIG.81 shows a physical realization for one embodiment of Concept D.

2.3.2. Fully-Integrated IPS-based LCDs

In-plane switching (IPS), as illustrated schematically in FIG. 82, canbe used to create LCD displays with wider viewing angles. While someLCDs (such as twisted nematic LCDs) use vertically-arranged electrodepairs (e.g., as shown in FIG. 20), in IPS LCDs both electrodes 8201,8202 used to control orientation of the liquid crystals 8203 can beparallel to one another in the same layer (e.g., in a single plane).Orienting the electrodes in this way can generate a horizontal electricfield 8200 through the liquid crystal, which can keep the liquidcrystals parallel to the front of the panel, thereby increasing theviewing angle. Liquid crystal molecules in an IPS display are notanchored to layers above or below (as shown in FIG. 82, for example),but instead can rotate freely to align themselves with electric field8200 while remaining parallel to one another and the plane of thedisplay electrodes. FIG. 83 shows a more realistic arrangement of aninterdigitated pair of electrodes 8301, 8302 in a display that can usein-plane switching.

Because IPS displays lack a V_(COM) layer that can also be used fortouch drive or touch sense, some embodiments of the present inventioncan provide touch-sensing capabilities by allowing the same electrodesused for display updating to also be used for touch sensing. Theseelectrodes can be complimented by additional circuitry. In someembodiments discussed above, touch pixels can overlap a large number ofdisplay pixels. In contrast, because the IPS embodiments discussed belowcan use the same electrodes used for display control and touch sensing,higher touch resolution can be obtained with little to no additionalcost. Alternatively, a number of touch pixels can be grouped to producea combined touch signal with a lower resolution.

2.3.2.1. Concept E

One IPS embodiment, Concept E, is illustrated in FIG. 84. As mentionedabove, the electrodes in IPS-based touch sensing displays can be in thesame plane and can have an interdigitated structure (as shown in FIG.84). While electrode A 8400 and electrode B 8402 can be used to orientthe liquid crystal layer during display updating, these same electrodescan also be used (in combination with additional elements) to achievetouch sensing. For example, Concept E can use additional switches 8404to change the drives for a set of signal lines based on whether thepixel is undergoing display updating or touch-sensing. Concept E canalso include capacitances (CIN_A 8406, COUT_A 8408, CIN_B 8410, andCOUT_B 8412) and two transistors (transistor Q1 8414 and transistor Q28416) to control when the electrodes will be used for display updatingor touch sensing.

During touch sensing, transistors Q1 8414 and Q2 8418 are turned off,disconnecting the electrodes from display signals and allowing theelectrodes to be used to measure capacitance. The V_(COM) metal line8416 can then be connected to touch stimulation signal 8418. Thisstimulation signal can be sent through CIN_A 8406 and CIN_B 8410 toCOUT_A 8408 and COUT_B 8412, which can connect to charge amplifier 8422.A capacitance C_(SIG) (not shown) between CIN and COUT can be used todetect touch. When the sense pixel is not being touched, chargedelivered to the charge amplifier 8422 can depend mainly on thecapacitance between the two pairs of CIN and COUT capacitors. When anobject (such as a finger) approaches the electrodes, the C_(SIG)capacitance can be perturbed (e.g., lowered) and can be measured bycharge amplifier 8422 as a change in the amount of charge transferred.The values for CIN and COUT can be selected to fit a desired input rangefor charge amplifier 8422 to optimize touch signal strength.

The electrodes can be used to perform touch sensing without negativelyaffecting the display state by using a high-frequency signal duringtouch sensing. Because LC molecules are large and non-polar, touches canbe detected without changing the display state by using a high-frequencyfield that does not change or impose a DC component on the RMS voltageacross the LC.

FIG. 85 shows a stackup diagram for Concept E. As described, all touchelements can be formed on TFT plate 8501.

2.3.2.2. Concept Q

Another embodiment of an IPS-based touch-sensing display, Concept Q,also permits the TFT glass elements of an LCD (such as metal routinglines, electrodes, etc.) to be used for both display and touch sensingfunctions. A potential advantage of such an embodiment is that nochanges to display factory equipment are required. The only addition toconventional LCD fabrication includes adding the touch-sensingelectronics.

Concept Q includes two types of pixels, illustrated in FIGS. 105 and106. Pixel type A is illustrated in FIG. 105. Each pixel 10501 includesthree terminals, a select terminal 10502, a data terminal 10503, and acommon terminal 10504. Each of the A type pixels have their commonterminal connected along columns 10505 to form touch-sensing columns.Pixel type B is illustrated in FIG. 106. Each pixel 10601 also includesthree terminals, select 10602, data 10603, and common 10604. Each of theB type pixels have their common terminal connected along rows 10605 toform touch sensing rows. The pixels can be arranged as shown in FIG. 107with a plurality of touch sense rows 10702 and a plurality of touchsense columns 10703. A touch sensing chip 10701, which can include thedrive stimulation and sensing circuitry can be connected to the rows andcolumns.

The touch sensing chip can operate as follows. During a first timeperiod, all of the rows and columns can be held at ground while the LCDis updated. In some embodiments, this may be a period of about 12 ms.During a next time period the A type pixels, i.e., touch columns, can bedriven with a stimulus waveform while the capacitance at each of the Btype pixels, i.e., touch rows, can be sensed. During a next time period,the B type pixels, i.e., touch rows, can be driven with a stimuluswaveform while the capacitance at each of the A type pixels, i.e., touchcolumns, can be sensed. This process can then repeat. The twotouch-sense periods can be about 2 ms. The stimulus waveform can take avariety of forms. In some embodiments it may be a sine wave of about 5Vpeak-to-peak with zero DC offset. Other time periods and waveforms mayalso be used.

2.3.2.3. Concept G

One issue that can arise in an IPS-based touch-sensing display is that alack of shielding between the touch and the LC means a finger (or othertouch object) can affect the display output. For instance, a fingertouching the screen can affect the fields used to control the LC,causing the display to distort. One solution to this issue can be to puta shield (e.g., a transparent ITO layer) between the user and thedisplay sub-pixels. However, such a shield can also block the electricfields used for touch sensing, thereby hindering touch sensing.

One embodiment, Concept G, overcomes this issue by flipping the layersof the display as shown in the stackup diagram in FIG. 86. This canplace LC 8600 on the opposite side of the TFT plate 8602 from the user.As a result, the field lines used to control the LC 8600 can begenerally oriented away from the touch side of the LCD. This can allowmetal areas, such as the data lines, gate lines, and electrodes, thatare now between the touching object and the LC 8600 to provide partialor full shielding for the LC.

2.3.2.4. Concept F

Another embodiment, Concept F (illustrated in FIG. 87), can reducedisplay perturbation while leaving the LCD data bus unchanged (inrelation to non-touch IPS displays) and without requiring additional ITOlayers or making the alignment of layers more difficult. Instead ofusing a shared data line (as in Concepts E and G), Concept F can reducepotential display perturbation by adding a set of routed metal lines ina metal layer (M1) that can serve as output sense lines 8700. Theseoutput sense lines 8700 can run vertically underneath the displaycircuitry across the full area of the display, as shown in FIG. 87 andin the stackup diagram for a Concept F sub-pixel shown in FIG. 88. Byusing a separate metal layer for output sense, Concept F can allow oneof the transistors shown for Concept E (FIG. 84) to be removed. Notealso that Concept F flips the layers of the display to further reducepotential display perturbation, as described above with respect toConcept G.

3. Enabling Technologies

A variety of aspects can apply to many of the embodiments describedabove. Examples of these are described below.

3.1. DITO

In many embodiments, ITO may be deposited and patterned on two sides ofa substrate. Various techniques and processes for doing so are describedin U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/650,049, titled “Double-SidedTouch Sensitive Panel With ITO Metal Electrodes,” filed Jan. 3, 2007,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

3.2. Replacing Patterned ITO with Metal

Various embodiments can eliminate the patterned ITO layer that formstouch sense electrodes and replace this layer with very then metal linesdeposited on one of the layers, for example, on the top glass. This canhave a number of advantages, including eliminating an ITO processingstep. Additionally, the sense line electrodes may be made quite thin(e.g., on the order of 10 microns), so that they do not interfere withvisual perception of the display. This reduction in line thickness canalso reduce the parasitic capacitance which can enhance various aspectsof touch screen operation, as described above. Finally, because thelight from the display does not pass through a layer substantiallycovered with ITO, color and transmissivity can be improved.

3.3. Use of Plastic for Touch Sense Substrate

Various embodiments described above have been described in the contextof glass substrates. However, in some embodiments, cost savings andreduced thickness can be achieved by replacing one or more of thesesubstrates with plastic. FIGS. 89 and 90 illustrate some differencesbetween glass-based systems, illustrated in FIG. 89, and plastic-basedsystems, illustrated in FIG. 90. Although illustrated in the context ofone particular embodiment, the principle of substituting a plasticsubstrate may be applied to any of the concepts.

FIG. 89 illustrates a stack up of a glass based system. Dimensionsillustrated are exemplary using current technology, but those skilled inthe art will understand that other thickness may be used, particularlyas the various fabrication technologies advance. Starting from the top,a cover 8901, having an exemplary thickness of about 0.8 mm, can beabove an index matching layer 8902 (e.g., approximately 0.18 mm thick).Below the index matching layer can be top polarizer 8903. The toppolarizer 8903 can have a thickness of approximately 0.2 mm. The nextlayer can be glass layer 8904 (e.g., about 0.5 mm thick) having ITOpatterned on each side. Sense electrodes can be patterned on the topside, for example, which can also be bonded to FPC 8905. The driveelectrodes and V_(COM) layer for the LCD can be patterned on the bottomof glass layer 8905. Below this can be another glass layer 8906, havingan exemplary thickness of about 0.3 mm, on which the TFT layers for thedisplay can be formed. The top of this glass layer can also be bonded toFPC 8907 connecting to both the display and touch sensing circuitry8908. Below this can be the bottom polarizer, below which can be thedisplay backlight 8910.

The overall thickness from top to bottom can be approximately 2.0 mm.Various ASICs and discrete circuit components may be located on theglass or connected via the FPCs. Patterned ITO can be placed on anotherplastic layer, for example, the bottom side of the top cover, etc.

FIG. 90 illustrates a similar arrangement in which middle glass layer9001 can be reduced in thickness by moving touch sense layer 9002 toplastic polarizer 9003. Patterning touch sense layer 9002 on plasticpolarizer 9003 can be accomplished by various known methods. Reductionin thickness can be accomplished because the glass need not be patternedon both sides. Because of handling issues, glass used in LCD processesmay be processed at a thickness of about 0.5 mm, for example, and thenground down to about, 0.3 mm, for example, after processing. Havingcircuit elements on both sides precludes grinding down the glass.However, because in the embodiment of FIG. 90 middle glass 9001 haselectrodes patterned on only one side, it may be ground down, giving anoverall thickness reduction of about 0.2 mm. This arrangement mayinclude additional FPC connection 9004 to the polarizer, which can bebonded using a low temperature bonding process. An additional advantageof using a plastic substrate can arise in that materials with differentdielectric constants can be used, which can provide flexibility andenhance operation of capacitive sensing circuits.

A variation on the plastic substrate embodiment is illustrated in FIG.91. Electrodes 9101 (e.g., drive or sense lines) can be patterned onmultiple plastic substrates 9102, 9103 that can then be adheredtogether. Because the plastic substrates can be thinner (e.g.,approximately half the thickness of a glass substrate) such techniquescan allow even thinner touch screens.

In another variation, illustrated in FIG. 92, polyester substrate 9201can have electrodes 9202 patterned on either side. This embodiment caninclude an access hole 9203 through substrate 9201 for connectionbetween the two sides. Polyester substrate 9201 can be disposed in cover9204 of a device, such as a handheld computer. Still another variationis illustrated in FIG. 93, which illustrates a polyester layer 9301having ITO electrodes 9302 patterned on a top surface, with access hole9303 through substrate 9301 to a second glass substrate 9304, also withITO electrode 9305 patterned on the top surface.

FIG. 94 illustrates an upside down view of a device, for example ahandheld computer 9401. By upside down, it is meant that the usersurface of the device is the bottom surface (not shown). ITO touchsensing electrodes 9402 can be patterned on the back of the usersurface, with a stack up 9403 having ITO disposed on the facing surfacebeing disposed therein during device assembly. A further variation ofthis concept is illustrated in FIG. 95, which shows ITO electrodes 9501patterned on the inside of molded plastic cover 6702 and on the top of astack up of layers 9503 according to one of the various embodimentsdiscussed herein. In the diagram of FIG. 95, the user face of the devicecan be top surface 9504.

FIGS. 96, 97, and 98 illustrate a sequence of steps in manufacturing apolyester substrate having a pattern of ITO electrodes disposed thereonthat may be suitable for touch sensing as described herein. FIG. 96illustrates a patterned polyester sheet 9601 patterned into a grid ofisolated squares of ITO 9602. The ITO resistivity can be about 200 ohmsor less. The individual electrodes can be approximately 1 mm by 1 mm,with 30 micron gaps between. In the illustrated embodiment, sheet 9601can be approximately 50 mm by 80 mm, which can be a suitable size for ahandheld computer, multimedia player, mobile telephone, or similardevice, although a variety of other sizes and/or applications will occurto those skilled in the art. As illustrated in the sectional view, thesheet may be as little as 25 microns thick, although dimensions of 25 to200 microns may also be used. Obviously, this can provide significantadvantages in terms of device thickness.

In FIG. 97, FPCs 9701 can be bonded to the patterned substrate 9702. InFIG. 98 cover 9801, which can be, for example, an approximately 0.8 mmthick layer of PMMA, can be adhered to the PET substrate 9802 using anoptically clear adhesive.

3.4. Level Shifter/Decoder Integration with LCD Controller

In some embodiments, additional circuitry (active, passive, or both) canbe placed in the peripheral area of the LCD (see FIG. 6) to supportdelivery of V_(STM) signals to the touch drive segments. Details of theperipheral area circuitry and its design rules can depend on theparticular manufacturing process details and on which TFT technology(i.e., PMOS, NMOS or CMOS) is used. The following four sub-sectionsdiscuss approaches for realizing peripheral touch drive circuits in viewof different drive circuit integration arrangements.

3.4.1. Discrete Level Shifter/Decoder Chip

In one approach, a discrete level shifter/decoder COG can be attached tothe bottom glass (see FIG. 22). In this arrangement metal traces may beneeded in the peripheral area. The number of traces can depend on thenumber of touch drive segments, which may be less than twenty for smalldisplays. Design objectives of this approach can include reducingcapacitive coupling, which can be affected by the spacing between touchdrive traces, and the space between the touch drive traces and other LCDcircuits in the peripheral area. Low trace impedance can also helpreduce capacitive coupling between adjacent touch drive traces.

For example, the combined resistance of the longest trace, the levelshifter/decoder output resistance, the conductive dot, and the ITO drivesegment may be limited to about 450 ohms. The resistance of the touchdrive ITO may be around 330 ohms (assuming ITO sheet resistance of 30ohms/sq and 11 squares), which can leave 120 ohms for other components.The following table shows one allocation of this resistance for eachcomponent in the touch drive circuit.

Level shifter/ decoder Output Metal Trace Conductive Dot ITO Segment 10ohms 100 ohms 10 ohms 330 ohms

Wider traces and/or lower sheet resistances may be used to obtain thedesired trace resistance. For example, for a trace resistance of 100ohms, a trace width of 0.18 mm or more may be desirable if the sheetresistance is 200 mohms/sq.

Of course, only the longest touch drive traces need the greatest width.Other touch drive traces, being correspondingly shorter, may havecorrespondingly smaller widths. For example, if the shortest trace is 5mm, then its width could be around 0.01 mm.

FIG. 99 shows a simplified diagram of the level shifter/decoder COG 9901for Concept A. (For Concept B, transistor Q1 and ENB_LCD[x] decoder canbe eliminated.) Registered decoder block 9902 can be comprised of threeseparate registered decoders, which can be loaded one at a time. One ofthe three decoders can be selected by two signals from the Touch/LCDDriver and can be programmed using 5-bit data. The decoder outputs cancontrol the three transistors Q1, Q2, Q3 associated with each outputsection of the level shifter/decoder. Each output section can be in oneof three states: 1) LCD (Q1 on, Q2 and Q3 off), 2) touch (Q2 on, Q1 andQ3 off), or 3) GND (Q3 on, Q1 and Q2 off). As mentioned above, Q2'soutput resistance can be approximately 10 ohms or less to reduce V_(STM)phase delay. For Concept B, the LCD decoder and Q1 can be eliminated.

3.4.2. Level Shifter/Decoder Fully-Integrated in Peripheral Area

The level shifter/decoder function (FIG. 99) can also be fullyintegrated in the peripheral area of the bottom glass. With thisapproach, the type of TFT technology becomes relevant to powerconsumption. While CMOS TFT technology may give lower power consumption,it may be more expensive than NMOS or PMOS. However, any technology maybe used depending on particular design constants.

To further reduce touch drive resistance, the transistor width may beenlarged to compensate for relatively low LTPS TFT mobility (e.g., ˜50cm²/V*sec).

3.4.3. Level Shifter/Decoder Partially Integrated in Touch/LCD Driver

In some embodiments, the level shifter/decoder function can be partiallyintegrated in the Touch/LCD Driver and partially integrated in theperipheral area. This approach can have several benefits including, forexample, eliminating CMOS in the peripheral area, which can reduce cost,and eliminating logic in the peripheral area, which can reduce powerconsumption. FIG. 100 shows a modified Touch/LCD Driver 10001 andperipheral transistor circuit 10002 that can be used in this approach.The level shifter and boost circuit 10003 can be integrated on thebottom glass and positioned between the segment drivers and theTouch/LCD chip. There can be one segment driver for each touch drivesegment. Each touch drive segment can be in one of three states: GND,modulated by V_(STM), or modulated by V_(COM). In this arrangement levelshifter circuits may be needed on the bottom glass to enable the lowvoltage Touch/LCD chip to control the transistor switches.

3.4.4. Level Shifter/Decoder Fully Integrated in Touch/LCD Driver

In some embodiments, the level shifter/decoder function can becompletely integrated in the Touch/LCD Driver. By moving the Levelshifter/decoder function to the Touch/LCD Driver, the separate levelshifter/decoder COG can be eliminated. Furthermore, eliminating CMOS andlogic from the peripheral area can be achieved.

FIG. 101 shows a simplified block diagram of the fully integratedTouch/LCD driver 10101, which can include the boost circuitry 10102 togenerate V_(STM). Passive components (such as capacitors, diodes, andinductors) may also needed, but, as with all the other approaches, havenot been shown for simplicity.

4. Uses, Form Factors, etc.

Exemplary applications of the integral touch screen LCD described hereinwill now be described. Handheld computers can be one advantageousapplication, including devices such as PDAs, multimedia players, mobiletelephones, GPS devices, etc. Additionally, the touch screen may findapplication in tablet computers, notebook computers, desktop computers,information kiosks, and the like.

FIG. 102 is a perspective view of an application of a touch screen10201, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Touchscreen 10201 can be configured to display a graphical user interface(GUI) including perhaps a pointer or cursor as well as other informationto the user. By way of example, the touch screen may allow a user tomove an input pointer or make selections on the graphical user interfaceby simply pointing at the GUI on the display 10202.

In general, touch screens can recognize a touch event on the surface10204 of the touch screen and thereafter output this information to ahost device. The host device may, for example, correspond to a computersuch as a desktop, laptop, handheld or tablet computer. The host devicecan interpret the touch event and can perform an action based on thetouch event. The touch screen shown in FIG. 102 can be configured torecognize multiple touch events that occur at different locations on thetouch sensitive surface 10204 of the touch screen at the same time. Asshown, the touch screen can, for example, generate separate trackingsignals S1-S4 for each touch point T1-T4 that occurs on the surface ofthe touch screen at a given time.

The multiple touch events can be used separately or together to performsingular or multiple actions in the host device. When used separately, afirst touch event may be used to perform a first action while a secondtouch event may be used to perform a second action that can be differentthan the first action. The actions may, for example, include moving anobject such as a cursor or pointer, scrolling or panning, adjustingcontrol settings, opening a file or document, viewing a menu, making aselection, executing instructions, operating a peripheral deviceconnected to the host device etc. When used together, first and secondtouch events may be used for performing one particular action. Theparticular action may for example include logging onto a computer or acomputer network, permitting authorized individuals access to restrictedareas of the computer or computer network, loading a user profileassociated with a user's preferred arrangement of the computer desktop,permitting access to web content, launching a particular program,encrypting or decoding a message, and/or the like.

Referring back to FIG. 102, touch screen 10201 may be a stand alone unitor may integrate with other devices. When stand alone, touch screen10201 can act like a peripheral device (e.g., a monitor) that caninclude its own housing. A stand alone display arrangement can becoupled to a host device through wired or wireless connections. Whenintegrated, touch screen 10201 can share a housing and can be hard wiredinto the host device, thereby forming a single unit. By way of example,the touch screen 10201 may be disposed inside a variety of host devicesincluding but not limited to general purpose computers such as adesktop, laptop or tablet computers, handhelds such as PDAs and mediaplayers such as music players, or peripheral devices such as cameras,printers, mobile telephones, and/or the like.

FIG. 103 is a block diagram of a computer system 10301, in accordancewith one embodiment of the present invention. Computer system 10301 maycorrespond to personal computer systems such as desktops, laptops,tablets or handhelds. By way of example, the computer system maycorrespond to any Apple or PC-based computer system. The computer systemmay also correspond to public computer systems such as informationkiosks, automated teller machines (ATM), point of sale machines (POS),industrial machines, gaming machines, arcade machines, vending machines,airline e-ticket terminals, restaurant reservation terminals, customerservice stations, library terminals, learning devices, and the like.

As shown, computer system 10301 can include processor 56 configured toexecute instructions and to carry out operations associated 10302computer system 10301. For example, using instructions retrieved forexample from memory, processor 10302 may control the reception andmanipulation of input and output data between components of computingsystem 10301. Processor 10302 can be a single-chip processor or can beimplemented with multiple components.

In most cases, processor 10302 together with an operating systemoperates to execute computer code and produce and use data. The computercode and data may reside within program storage block 10303 that can beoperatively coupled to processor 10302. Program storage block 10303 canprovide a place to hold data being used by computer system 10301. By wayof example, the program storage block may include read-only memory (ROM)10304, random-access memory (RAM) 10305, hard disk drive 10306, and/orthe like. The computer code and data could also reside on a removablestorage medium and loaded or installed onto the computer system whenneeded. Removable storage media can include, for example, CD-ROM,PC-CARD, floppy disk, magnetic tape, and a network component.

Computer system 10301 can also include an input/output (I/O) controller10307 that can be operatively coupled to processor 10302. I/O controller10307 may be integrated with processor 56 or it may be a separatecomponent as shown. I/O controller 10307 can be configured to controlinteractions with one or more I/O devices. I/O controller 66 can operateby exchanging data between the processor and the I/O devices that desireto communicate with the processor. The I/O devices and the I/Ocontroller can communicate through data link 10312. Data link 10312 maybe a one way link or two way link. In some cases, I/O devices may beconnected to I/O controller 10307 through wired connections. In othercases, I/O devices may be connected to I/O controller 10307 throughwireless connections. By way of example, data link 10312 may correspondto PS/2, USB, Firewire, IR, RF, Bluetooth, or the like.

Computer system 10301 can also include display device 10308, e.g., anintegral touch screen LCD as described herein, that can be operativelycoupled to processor 10302. Display device 10308 may be a separatecomponent (peripheral device) or may be integrated with the processorand program storage to form a desktop computer (all in one machine), alaptop, handheld or tablet or the like. Display device 10308 can beconfigured to display a graphical user interface (GUI) including, forexample, a pointer or cursor as well as other information displayed tothe user.

Display device 10308 can also include an integral touch screen 10309(shown separately for clarity, but actually integral with the display)that can be operatively coupled to the processor 10302. Touch screen10309 can be configured to receive input from a user's touch and to sendthis information to processor 10302. Touch screen 10309 can recognizetouches and the position, shape, size, etc. of touches on its surface.Touch screen 10309 can report the touches to processor 10302, andprocessor 10302 can interpret the touches in accordance with itsprogramming. For example, processor 10302 may initiate a task inaccordance with a particular touch.

The touch screen LCDs described herein may find particularlyadvantageous application in multi-functional handheld devices such asthose disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/367,749, entitled“Multi-functional Hand-held Device”, filed Mar. 3, 2006, which is herebyincorporated by reference.

For example, principles described herein may be used to devise inputdevices for a variety of electronic devices and computer systems. Theseelectronic devices and computer system may be any of a variety of typesillustrated in FIG. 104, including desktop computers 10401, notebookcomputers 10402, tablet computers 10403, handheld computers 10404,personal digital assistants 10405, media players 10406, mobiletelephones 10407, and the like. Additionally, the electronic devices andcomputer systems may be combinations of these types, for example, adevice that is a combination of personal digital assistant, media playerand mobile telephone. Other alternations, permutations, and combinationsof the aforementioned embodiments are also possible.

Moreover, the principles herein, though described with reference tocapacitive multi-touch systems, may also apply to systems in which touchor proximity sensing depends on other technologies. It is thereforeintended that the following claims be interpreted as including allalterations, permutations, combinations and equivalents of theforegoing.

1. An integrated liquid crystal display touch screen comprising: a firstpolarizer; a second polarizer; a first substrate having display controlcircuitry formed thereon, the first substrate being disposed between thefirst polarizer and the second polarizer; a second substrate disposedbetween the first polarizer and the second polarizer and adjacent thefirst substrate; a liquid crystal layer disposed between the first andsecond substrates; a plurality of touch sensing elements disposedbetween the first and second polarizers and not between the first andsecond substrates, the plurality of touch sensing elements comprising aplurality of touch drive electrodes and a plurality of touch senseelectrodes, the plurality of touch drive electrodes and the plurality oftouch sense electrodes being operative at least during a touch sensingmode of operation; the plurality of touch drive electrodes and theplurality of touch sense electrodes spaced apart from one another toform capacitive coupling nodes therebetween; a counter electrode usedduring a liquid crystal display operation and disposed between theliquid crystal layer and the second substrate, the counter electrodeseparate and distinct from the plurality of touch drive electrodes andseparate and distinct from the plurality of touch sense electrodes; thecounter electrode being grounded during the touch sensing mode ofoperation to shield the plurality of touch drive electrodes and theplurality of touch sense electrodes disposed above the counterelectrode, from the liquid crystal layer disposed below the counterelectrode; the plurality of touch drive electrodes operative to receivea periodic voltage; the plurality of touch drive electrodes driven bythe periodic voltage one at a time or in groups; and at least onecapacitance sensing circuit operatively coupled to the plurality oftouch sense electrodes during the touch sensing mode of operation formeasuring a change in current and/or voltage resulting from a change incapacitance at the capacitive coupling nodes.
 2. The touch screen ofclaim 1 wherein the second substrate has a color filter disposedthereon.
 3. The touch screen of claim 2 wherein the color filter isformed on a side of the second substrate facing the liquid crystallayer, and wherein the plurality of touch sensing elements are formed onthe second substrate on a side opposite that of the color filter.
 4. Thetouch screen of claim 3 wherein the plurality of touch sensing elementsfurther comprise: a first plurality of touch electrodes formed on thesecond substrate, the first plurality of touch electrodes being one ofthe plurality of touch drive or the plurality of touch sense electrodes;a dielectric deposited over the first plurality of electrodes; and asecond plurality of touch electrodes formed on top of the dielectric,the second plurality of touch electrodes being the other of theplurality of touch drive or the plurality of touch sense electrodes. 5.The touch screen of claim 4 wherein the first plurality of touchelectrodes formed on the second substrate comprises ITO patterned toform the plurality of touch drive electrodes or the plurality of touchsense electrodes.
 6. The touch screen of claim 4 wherein the pluralityof touch drive electrodes are driven by the periodic voltage one at atime or in groups while the non-driven touch drive electrodes aregrounded.
 7. The touch screen of claim 1 wherein the plurality of touchdrive electrodes are driven by the periodic voltage one at a time or ingroups while the non-driven touch drive electrodes are grounded.
 8. Thetouch screen of claim 1 wherein the second substrate is glass.
 9. Thetouch screen of claim 1 wherein the second substrate is plastic.
 10. Thetouch screen of claim 1 wherein the plurality of touch sensing elementscomprises a mutual capacitance touch-sensing arrangement.
 11. Theelectronic device of claim 10, wherein the first substrate furthercomprises touch control circuitry; and the touch screen furthercomprises an electrical connect r electrically connecting the touchcontrol circuitry on the first substrate to the top surface of thesecond substrate.
 12. The electronic device of claim 11, wherein theelectrically connector comprises a flexible printed circuit.
 13. Theelectronic d vice of claim 11 wherein the electrical connector comprisesa first flexible printed circuit connecting the plurality of touch senseelectrodes to the touch control circuitry and a second flexible printed,circuit connecting the plurality of touch drive electrodes to the touchcontrol circuitry.
 14. The touch screen of claim 1, wherein the firstsubstrate further comprises touch control circuitry; and the touchscreen further comprises an electrical connect r electrically connectingthe touch control circuitry on the first substrate to the top surface ofthe second substrate.
 15. The touch screen of claim 14, wherein theelectrically connector comprises a flexible printed circuit.
 16. Thetouch screen of claim 14 wherein the electrical connector comprises afirst flexible printed circuit connecting the plurality of touch senseelectrodes to the touch control circuitry and a second flexible printedcircuit connecting the plurality of touch drive electrodes to the touchcontrol circuitry.
 17. An electronic device incorporating an integratedliquid crystal display touch screen, wherein the liquid crystal displaytouch screen comprises: a first polarizer; a second polarizer; a firstsubstrate having display control circuitry formed thereon, the firstsubstrate being disposed between the first polarizer and the secondpolarizer; a second substrate disposed between the first polarizer andthe second polarizer and adjacent the first substrate; a liquid crystallayer disposed between the first and second substrates; a plurality oftouch sensing elements disposed between the first and second polarizersand not between the first and second substrates, the plurality of touchsensing elements comprising a plurality of touch drive electrodes and aplurality of touch sense electrodes, the plurality of touch driveelectrodes and the plurality of touch sense electrodes being operativeat least during a touch sensing mode of operation; the plurality oftouch drive electrodes and the plurality of touch sense electrodesspaced apart from one another to form capacitive coupling nodestherebetween; a counter electrode used during a liquid crystal displayoperation and disposed between the liquid crystal layer and the secondsubstrate, the counter electrode separate and distinct from theplurality of touch drive electrodes and separate and distinct from theplurality of touch sense electrodes; the counter electrode beinggrounded during the touch sensing mode of operation to shield theplurality of touch drive electrodes and the plurality of touch senseelectrodes disposed above the counter electrode, from the liquid crystallayer disposed below the counter electrode; the plurality of touch driveelectrodes operative to receive a periodic voltage; the plurality oftouch drive electrodes driven by the periodic voltage one at a time orin groups; and at least one capacitance sensing, circuit operativelycoupled to the plurality of touch sense electrodes during the touchsensing mode of operation for measuring a change in current and/orvoltage resulting from a change in capacitance at the capacitivecoupling nodes.
 18. The electronic device of claim 17 wherein a colorfilter is formed on a side of the second substrate facing the liquidcrystal layer, and wherein the plurality of touch sensing elements areformed on the second substrate on a side opposite that of the colorfilter.
 19. The electronic device of claim 18, wherein the plurality oftouch drive electrodes are driven by the periodic voltage one at a timeor in groups while the non-driven touch drive electrodes are grounded.20. The electronic device of claim 19 wherein the plurality of touchsensing elements further comprise: a first plurality of touch electrodesformed on the second substrate, the first plurality of touch electrodesbeing one of the plurality of touch drive or the plurality of touchsense electrodes; a dielectric deposited over the first plurality ofelectrodes; and a second plurality of touch electrodes formed on top ofthe dielectric, the second plurality of touch electrodes being the otherof the plurality of touch drive or the plurality of touch senseelectrodes.
 21. The electronic device of claim 20 wherein the electronicdevice comprises at least one of a handheld computer, a personal digitalassistant, a media player, a mobile telephone, a desktop computer, atablet computer, and a notebook computer.
 22. The electronic device ofclaim 18 wherein the plurality of touch sensing elements furthercomprise: a first plurality of touch electrodes formed on the secondsubstrate, the first plurality of touch electrodes being one of theplurality of touch drive or the plurality of touch sense electrodes; adielectric deposited over the first plurality of electrodes; and asecond plurality of touch electrodes formed on top of the dielectric,the second plurality of touch electrodes being the other of theplurality of touch drive or the plurality of touch sense electrodes. 23.The electronic device of claim 17 wherein the one or more touch sensorsformed on the second substrate further comprise: a first plurality oftouch electrodes formed on the second substrate, the first plurality oftouch electrodes being one of the plurality of touch drive or touchsense electrodes; a dielectric deposited over the first plurality ofelectrodes; and a second plurality of touch electrodes formed on top ofthe dielectric, the second plurality of touch electrodes being the otherof the 3.1urality of touch drive or touch sense electrodes.
 24. Theelectronic device of claim 23 wherein the electronic device is selectedfrom the group consisting of a desktop Computer, a tablet computer, anda notebook computer.
 25. The electronic device of claim 23 wherein theelectronic device comprises at least one of a handheld computer, apersonal digital assistant, a media player, and a mobile telephone. 26.The electronic device of claim 23 wherein the first plurality of touchelectrodes formed on the second substrate comprises ITO patterned toform the plurality of touch drive electrodes.
 27. The electronic deviceof claim 26 wherein the electronic device is selected from the groupconsisting of a desktop computer, a tablet computer, and a notebookcomputer.
 28. The electronic device of claim 26 wherein the electronicdevice comprises at least one of a handheld computer, a personal digitalassistant, a media player, and a mobile telephone.
 29. The electronicdevice of claim 23 wherein the first plurality of touch electrodesformed on the second substrate comprises ITO patterned to form theplurality of touch sense electrodes.
 30. The electronic device of claim29 wherein the electronic device is selected from the group consistingof a desktop computer, a tablet computer, and a notebook computer. 31.The electronic device of claim 29 wherein the electronic devicecomprises at least one of a handheld computer, a personal digitalassistant, a media player, and a mobile telephone.
 32. The electronicdevice of claim 17 wherein the plurality of touch drive electrodes aredriven by the periodic, voltage one at a time or in groups while thenon-driven touch drive electrodes are grounded.
 33. The electronicdevice of claim 32 wherein the electronic device is selected from thegroup consisting of a desktop computer, a tablet computer, a notebookcomputer, a handheld computer, a personal digital assistant, a mediaplayer, and a mobile telephone.
 34. A mobile telephone incorporating anintegrated liquid crystal display touch screen, wherein the liquidcrystal display touch screen comprises: a first polarizer; a secondpolarizer; a first substrate having display control circuitry formedthereon, the first substrate being disposed between the first polarizeran the second polarizer; a second substrate disposed between the firstpolarizer and the second polarizer and adjacent the first substrate; aliquid crystal layer disposed between the first and second substrates; aplurality of touch sensing elements disposed between the first andsecond polarizers and not between the first and second substrates, theplurality of touch sensing elements comprising a plurality of touchdrive electrodes and plurality of touch sense electrodes, the pluralityof touch drive electrodes and the plurality of touch sense electrodesbeing operative at least during a touch sensing mode of operation; theplurality of touch drive electrodes and the plurality of touch senseelectrodes spaced apart from one another to form capacitive couplingnodes therebetween; a counter electrode used during a liquid crystaldisplay operation and disposed between the liquid crystal layer and thesecond substrate, the counter electrode separate and distinct from theplurality of touch drive electrodes and separate and distinct from theplurality of touch sense electrodes; the counter electrode beinggrounded during the touch sensing mode of operation to shield theplurality of touch drive electrodes and the plurality of touch senseelectrodes disposed above the counter electrode, from the liquid crystallayer disposed below the counter electrode; the plurality of touch driveelectrodes operative to receive a periodic voltage; the plurality oftouch drive electrodes driven by the periodic voltage one at a time orin groups; and at least one capacitance sensing circuit operativelycoupled to the plurality of touch sense electrodes during the touchsensing m de of operation for measuring a change in current and/orvoltage resulting from a change in capacitance at the capacitivecoupling nodes.
 35. The mobile telephone of claim 34 wherein the colorfilter is formed on a side of the second substrate facing the liquidcrystal layer, and wherein the plurality of touch sensing elements areformed on he second substrate on a side opposite that of the colorfilter.
 36. The mobile telephone of claim 34 wherein the plurality oftouch sensing elements further comprise: a first st plurality of touchelectrodes formed on the second substrate, the first plurality of touchel ctrodes being one of the plurality of touch drive or the plurality oftouch sense electrodes; a dielectric deposited over the first pluralityof electrodes; and a second plurality of touch electrodes formed on topof the dielectric, the second plurality of touch electrodes being theother of the plurality of touch drive or the plurality of touch senseelectrodes.
 37. The mobile telephone of claim 34 wherein the pluralityof touch drive electrodes are driven by the periodic voltage one at atime or in groups while the non-driven touch drive electrodes aregrounded.